Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple Dispute: Supreme Court Orders Independent Management

The legal dispute over the administration of the Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple in Karnataka raised crucial questions about religious rights, government control, and judicial oversight. The case, brought before the Supreme Court, centered around the Karnataka government’s decision to include the temple under the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 (Act, 1997). The Ramachandrapura Math challenged this decision, claiming ownership over the temple. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that an independent committee should oversee the temple’s management until a final verdict is reached.

Background of the Case

The Karnataka government issued a notification on April 30, 2003, bringing the Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple under the purview of the Act, 1997. For five years, the temple remained under state administration. However, in 2008, the Ramachandrapura Math petitioned for its removal from the notification, arguing that the temple belonged to the Math and was exempt under Section 1(4) of the Act.

On August 12, 2008, the government accepted the Math’s claim and ordered the temple’s de-notification. This decision was challenged in the Karnataka High Court by devotees and former trustees through public interest litigation. The High Court quashed the de-notification order, restoring the temple under state administration.

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Petitioners’ Arguments

The Ramachandrapura Math contended:

• The Math had administered the temple for centuries, tracing back to the 8th Century A.D., when Adi Shankaracharya allegedly entrusted it to his disciples.
• A trust was formed for management under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950, but the Act was later ruled inapplicable to Karnataka.
• The temple was legally part of the Math’s religious and spiritual heritage, exempting it from government control.
• The state’s intervention violated the Math’s rights under Article 25 and 26 of the Constitution, which guarantee religious freedom.

Respondents’ Arguments

Devotees and former trustees argued:

• The Math’s claim lacked legal proof, and no inquiry had been conducted before its de-notification.
• The government acted arbitrarily by removing the temple from state oversight without public consultation.
• The Karnataka High Court rightly ruled that such ownership claims should be decided by a competent civil court.
• The temple’s administration should remain under a neutral body to ensure transparency.

Supreme Court’s Findings

The Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian, upheld the High Court’s ruling, noting:

• “The determination of whether the temple belongs to the Math should be made in a civil suit, not through a government order.”
• The government’s de-notification process lacked proper inquiry and transparency.
• The Act, 1997’s validity was already under challenge in another case, and its outcome could impact the present dispute.
• Until a final ruling, temple administration should not favor either party.

Judgment and Conclusion

The Court ruled:

“As an interim arrangement, an ‘Overseeing Committee’ shall manage the temple, chaired by Hon’ble Justice B.N. Srikrishna, Former Judge, Supreme Court of India.”

The committee includes government officials, scholars, and temple priests to ensure balanced administration. The Math must hand over control to the committee, maintaining status quo until a final decision.

Read also: https://judgmentlibrary.com/supreme-court-rules-on-land-compensation-dispute-in-haryana-key-takeaways/

This ruling underscores the judiciary’s role in balancing religious autonomy with state oversight, ensuring that sacred institutions serve their intended purpose without undue political or personal influence.

Petitioner Name: Ramachandrapura Math.
Respondent Name: Sri Samsthana Mahabaleshwara Devaru & Others.
Judgment By: Justice S.A. Bobde, Justice A.S. Bopanna, Justice V. Ramasubramanian.
Place Of Incident: Karnataka.
Judgment Date: 19-04-2021.

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