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Supreme Court Rules State Government Cannot Receive Temple Property Gift from Temporary Trustee
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News18•16-10-2026, 21:30
Supreme Court Rules State Government Cannot Receive Temple Property Gift from Temporary Trustee
- •The Supreme Court ruled that a state government cannot legally accept a gift of temple property from a temporary trustee.
- •The bench emphasized that religious property vests in the deity and custodians hold it only in trust for the deity and worshippers.
- •The ruling invalidated a gift deed executed in favor of the Tamil Nadu government regarding land belonging to the Nagapalayam Mariamman-Ponnachiamman Temple.
- •The court directed the state to pay costs of Rs 1,00,000 to the temple within eight weeks.
- •The lease for the land was regularized with enhanced rent, ensuring the temple's interests remain paramount.
Key Questions Answered
No, the Supreme Court held that a state government cannot legally become the recipient of a gift of temple property from a temporary trustee, noting that the state as a custodian cannot usurp such property.
The case involved land belonging to the Nagapalayam Mariamman-Ponnachiamman Temple situated in Kodumudi Village, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.
The Supreme Court directed the State to pay costs quantified at Rs 1,00,000 within eight weeks to the Temple.
