SC revives 13-yr-old plea challenging govt control of temples, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court has revived a 13-year-old plea challenging government control of Hindu temples in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Puducherry.
• A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and S C Sharma will hear the petitions starting July 24, 2026.
• The initial petition was filed by the late Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 2012.
• The court had previously directed petitioners to approach respective High Courts, but this order has now been recalled.

Detailed Insights:

• The petitions challenge the constitutional validity of state laws regulating the administration of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments.
• The apex court initially suggested that High Courts should hear the matter first due to potential local issues and variations in state laws.
• The review plea argued that sending the case back to the High Courts after 13 years would cause a miscarriage of justice and necessitate challenging the Andhra Pradesh Act, 1987 in two separate high courts.
• Article 32 of the Constitution grants the fundamental right to approach the Supreme Court, which the review plea argued was not adequately considered in the previous order.
• The bench acknowledged the error and decided to hear the original petitions to address the challenge to the laws in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 32: Guarantees the right to constitutional remedies, allowing individuals to directly approach the Supreme Court for violation of their fundamental rights.
• Religious Endowments: Properties or funds donated or dedicated for religious purposes, often managed by trusts or government bodies.
• Judicial Review: The power of the judiciary to examine the constitutionality of legislative or executive actions.