Allow Cookies!
By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies
The court of last resort on Monday in Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple case protected the rights of the erstwhile royal family of Travancore in regard to the administration of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple in Kerala.
According to the instrument of accession between the princely state of Travancore and then govt. in 1949, clearly empowered the administration rights to the 'ruler of Travancore'. Later after the introduction Cochin Hindu Religious Institutions Act, also empowered the ruler of Travancore to look after the administrational aspect until his death (20.7.1991). Eventually, after the death of the last ruler government insisted Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma to look after the administration. But when last Ruler's brother Marthanda claimed temple assets to be family's assets then the question of law arose before the court.
After civil courts passed an injunction order, the Royal family and others moved the high court of Kerala to clarify the position of last ruler's younger brother, Thirunal Marthand so as to know whether the brother had rights over temple's assets. Over a due course, HC passed an order disfavoring the royal family by reasoning " Ruler is not a status that could be acquired through succession".
The supreme court allowed the appeal in this matter challenging HC's order disfavoring the Royal family of Travancore. The supreme court in the year 2011 first heard this appeal and directed stay against the high court's order.
Subsequently in the year 2011 after court constituting expert committee and thereby observing the reports submitted stated opening of Kallara B would be adjudicated in due course, said the SC.
In the year 2012 court-appointed Sr. Adv Gopal Subramaniam as an amicus curiae in the matter to assist the court.
Therefore, in the final hearing, the 2019 division bench comprising of Justices UU Lalit and Indu Malhotra heard the submissions and reserved the case for orders. Finally, on Monday the SC made pronouncements and allowed the appeal favoring the Royal family of Travancore.
86540
103860
630
114
59824