1951 (12) TMI 19 - HC - Indian Laws

Court declares new Act sections ultra vires, quashes notification infringing fundamental rights. Rule nisi made absolute.

Lakshmindra Theertha Swamiar and Ors. Versus The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras and Ors.

Lakshmindra Theertha Swamiar and Ors. Versus The Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras and Ors. - AIR 1952 Mad 613 Issues Involved:1. Validity of the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1926, and the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951.2. Jurisdiction and powers of the Hindu Religious Endowments Board and the Commissioner.3. Rights and duties of the Mathadhipathi and the Podu Dikshitars.4. Infringement of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(f), 25, 26, 27, and 30 of the Constitution.5. Legality of the notification procedure under the Acts.6. Validity of Section 76 of the new Act concerning contributions.Detailed Analysis:1. Validity of the Acts:The petitions questioned the validity of the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1926, and the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951. The Court allowed the petitioners to amend their petitions to challenge the new Act. The Court found that certain provisions of the new Act were ultra vires the State Legislature as they infringed upon the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.2. Jurisdiction and Powers:The Court examined the jurisdiction and powers of the Hindu Religious Endowments Board and the Commissioner. It was noted that the Board issued notifications under Section 62 of the earlier Act and Section 103 of the new Act to frame schemes for the administration of mutts. The Court found that the Board acted with bias and did not provide a reasonable opportunity for the petitioner to show cause, thus exceeding its jurisdiction.3. Rights and Duties of the Mathadhipathi and Podu Dikshitars:The Court discussed the juristic relationship of the Mathadhipathi to the properties of the Mutt, concluding that the Mathadhipathi is not a trustee in the strict sense but has beneficial ownership of the properties and income. The Court also recognized the Podu Dikshitars as having a substantial beneficial interest in the income of the temple, thus their rights were protected under the Constitution.4. Infringement of Fundamental Rights:The Court found that the provisions of the new Act infringed upon the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 15, 19(1)(f), 25, 26, and 27 of the Constitution. The Court held that the restrictions imposed by the new Act were unreasonable and not justified in the interests of the general public. The Court also found that the contribution levied under Section 76 of the new Act was a tax and violated Article 27, making it unconstitutional.5. Legality of the Notification Procedure:The Court found that the notification procedure under the earlier and new Acts was drastic and encroached upon the rights of the Podu Dikshitars to manage the property belonging to the denomination. The Court held that the notification procedure was an unreasonable restriction on their rights under Articles 19(1)(f) and 26 of the Constitution.6. Validity of Section 76:The Court held that the contribution levied under Section 76 of the new Act was a tax and violated Article 27 of the Constitution. The Court found that the tax was specifically appropriated for the maintenance of Hindu religious institutions, making it unconstitutional.Conclusion:The Court declared several sections of the new Act ultra vires the State Legislature and quashed the notification issued under the Act. The Court also held that the Mathadhipathi and the Podu Dikshitars had their fundamental rights infringed by the provisions of the new Act. The rule nisi was made absolute, and the petitioners were granted costs. The case was certified as fit for appeal to the Supreme Court under Article 132 of the Constitution.