ZILE SINGH Vs. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, KARNAL,

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, seven in number, are residents of Village Sita Mai, Teshil Nigdhu, District Karnal. Their grievance is with regard to the Mata Sita Mandir, a temple situated in Village Sita Mai, which is stated to be in dilapidation due to the failure to undertake its repairs and maintenance.

(2.) This temple was the subject matter of consideration in Civil Suit No.322 of 1999 on the file of the learned Civil Judge (Junior Division), Karnal, a suit filed under Section 92 CPC. The said suit was decreed on 04.02.2004, leading to the several appeals and cross-objections being filed before the learned Additional District Judge, Karnal, in Civil Appeal No. 81 of 2005 and batch. These appeals were disposed of by common judgment dated 23.01.2007, affirming the judgment and decree dated 04.02.2004 passed by the trial Court.

(3.) In consequence, the Deputy Commissioner, Karnal, was required to form a Committee comprising inhabitants of Village Sita Mai, which would be in charge of the affairs of the temple as well as the entire property owned by it. The Committee was given the responsibility to maintain proper accounts and in the event it was found that any monies of the temple had been misappropriated, the Committee was liable to civil and criminal prosecution for such misappropriation.