The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Delhi High Court recently ordered a man to pay a fine of Rs 1 lakh for including Lord Hanuman as a co-litigant in his plea over land possession. The land in question houses a temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The man’s plea was a response to a lower court’s decision that dismissed their objection to the land’s transfer to another entity. He argued that the land should belong to Lord Hanuman since it features a public temple.
Justice C Hari Shankar of the Delhi High Court described the case as an attempt to unlawfully seize the land through deception and in bad faith. The dispute originated when the current landholders, after being sued by another party who once owned the land, agreed to vacate for Rs 11 lakh. Despite receiving Rs 6 lakh, they failed to vacate the property.
During the execution phase, the appellant, an unrelated third party, intervened, claiming that the land was under the guardianship of Lord Hanuman and that he, as a devotee and ‘next friend’ of the deity, was entitled to defend the property. Under Indian law, deities can be represented in legal matters as they are considered minors.
The court highlighted that simply because the public worships at a privately-owned temple does not automatically make it a public temple. The court emphasized that transforming a private temple into a public one based on public worship could lead to severe legal implications and injustices.
The judge remarked humorously about the deity being brought into court, but pointed out the seriousness of misusing religious sites to prevent rightful ownership. The court decided there was no evidence suggesting the temple was a public entity. Thus, the appellant’s claim was dismissed.
The Delhi High Court dismissed the appeal and imposed the fine solely on the appellant, clarifying that Lord Hanuman was not responsible for any part of the costs.
