Ancestral temple
Jyothi
(Querist) 08 May 2025
This query is : Resolved
Kindly advise the law for ancestral temple when there are multiple heirs to claim ownership. Our temple is 300 years old and family of 4 brothers initially who built a temple with temporary structure. With time some heirs built small concrete structure for temple with help of donors. Nobody claimed the temple ownership as it was ancestral for 15 families. Some of us heirs formed Trust 10 years back and started running it. But one heir is creating issue . The land on which temple stands is shared by him and us . So he is claiming the entire ownership of temple. Does this mean the temple ownership is decided based on whose land it is sitting on present date ? Earlier days all brothers lived together and hence a separate temple land survey number was not created. But now with intention of kabza this person is locking it up as per his wish. Can we treat temple separately as it was built years ago by ancestors and all have equal rights on it ? Can a single person claim authority on temple ? Can our Trust with most of the legal heirs claim rights on temple legally ? If yes , what is the requirement and how to deal with this person creating issue ?
kavksatyanarayana
(Expert) 08 May 2025
You have missed some facts. After being there for 300 years, the Endowments department might have taken over the temple. When you formed the trust 10 years back, who were the trustees, and what were the trust conditions? Are the same trustees running the trust even now? Is the land transferred to the trust by your ancestors? How did they contribute to the land?
T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate
(Expert) 08 May 2025
It seems to be a hypothetical question or a question of academic interest.
Dr. J C Vashista
(Expert) 09 May 2025
Facts posted need professional analyses and advise by a local prudent lawyer.
P. Venu
(Expert) 12 May 2025
There could be no definite suggestion unless the documents are perused and issues discussed.
Sudhir Kumar, Advocate
(Expert) 15 May 2025
how come temple is 12 generations old and so far succession is not settled.
T. Kalaiselvan, Advocate
(Expert) 19 May 2025
Since a trust has been reportedly formed for the purpose of this temple, no one including the trust members can claim the ownership of the temple or its properties.
It will rtemain with the trust.
If anyone of the trust members are restricting or claiming the title by themselves, you can approach court with a suit for permanent injunction restraining that person from claiming such false title and also to remove him from the trust itself owing to his alleged fraudulent activities, if any.
Jyothi
(Querist) 21 May 2025
Thank you Mr.Kalaiselvan for your guidance . You have understood the issue correctly. We will proceed as you suggested. Warm regards
