K CHINNASWAMI UDAYAR Vs. NARASIMHA BHATTAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal involves a consideration of the effect of a decree in a suit of 1896 wherein the holder of the archaka office in the suit temple obtained a declaration that he was entitled both to the office of archaka and paricharaka and to appoint fit and proper persons to the office of paricharaka, and to dismiss them and generally control the paricharaka so appointed in the temple during his term. By virtue of this decree the first respondent (the archaka) appointed an individual as paricharaka. The appellants, trustees, were dissatisfied with the conduct of this paricharaka and ejected him from office. Thereupon the first respondent brought an application, claiming that the appellants should be punished for disobedience to the decree of 1896. When the application was actually heard, the only relief claimed actually was a recognition of the first respondent's right under the decree and costs. Both the Courts below have held that by virtue of the decree of 1896 the archaka is solely entitled to appoint, control and dismiss the person who performs the functions of paricharaka.

(2.) In appeal it was contended that even under the terms of the decree this sole right was not vested in the archaka but that the general powers of the trustee enabled the trustee also to exercise disciplinary control. I cannot accept this contention. The decree seems to me to be perfectly plain as conferring the right of appointment, dismissal and control solely on the archaka.

(3.) It remains, however, to consider whether this decree is in full force and effect, having regard to subsequent judicial and statutory changes. In a suit of 1912 there was a scheme framed for the temple where under powers of appointment of non-mirasi servants and punishment of mirasi servants were vested in the additional trustee. This scheme appears to have been referred to in the proceedings in the Court below but the actual instrument was not exhibited. It is not, however, necessary to go in detail into the effect of the scheme decree, for there has been a subsequent statutory enactment which has substantially the same effect. Section 43 of the Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act provides that: All office-holders and servants attached to a temple or in receipt of any emolument or perquisite from the temple shall be under the orders and control of the trustee; and the trustee may fine, suspend, remove or dismiss any of them for breach of trust, etc.