In Brief
A sanyasi (religious ascetic) named Mahant Dharmanand died without heirs. The appellant, claiming to be Dharmanand's disciple and successor under sectarian custom, sought to prevent the state from taking possession of the deceased's ashram property. The state had invoked escheat law (under which unclaimed property vests in the government). The Supreme Court upheld the state's position, finding the appellant had not proven that Dharmanand was a sanyasi or that he (the appellant) was a valid successor under sect custom. The Court dismissed the appeal but allowed the appellant four weeks to pursue his claims in a civil court.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.