In Brief
The Supreme Court affirmed that the Bakers Choultry at Mylapore, Chennai is a specific endowment under the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959, not private property. A rock inscription in the choultry provided for feeding Brahmins during specified Hindu festivals. The Court held this constitutes a 'religious charity'—a public charity associated with Hindu festivals benefiting an uncertain body of persons. The required 'divestment' was evidenced by the managers' inability to alienate the property and the restriction of income use for charitable purposes. The appellant's predecessor had earlier admitted the endowment status in prior proceedings, making subsequent claims of private ownership estopped by his own prior pleadings and conduct."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.