SC declines to entertain A.P. government appeal against HC order regarding Ahobilam temple

The State High Court decision was that only the Mathadipathi of the Ahobilam Math, and not the Executive Officer appointed under the State's religious endowments law, can be in charge of the Ahobilam temple's administration

The Supreme Court on January 27 declined to entertain an appeal by the Andhra Pradesh government against a State High Court decision that only the Mathadipathi of the Ahobilam Math, and not the Executive Officer appointed under the State's religious endowments law, can be in charge of the Ahobilam temple's administration.

A Bench led by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul asked why the State should intervene in a temple's affairs.

“Why are you stepping into that? Let the temple people deal with it...Why should religious places not be left to religious people?” the court asked senior advocate Niranjan Reddy, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh government.

Senior advocates Satish Parasaran, C. Sridharan, and advocate Vipin Nair appeared for the caveators.

The High Court had, in its judgment in October last year, held that the Sri Ahobilam Mutt Parampara Aadheena Sri Lakshmi Swamy Ahobilam Devasthanam, known to be one of the oldest of temples, has been associated with the Math due to common religious practices and involvement in administration. The temple was "necessarily a part and parcel, and an integral and inseparable part" of the Ahobilam Math.

The High Court had concluded that only the Mathadipathi of the Ahobilam Math could be in charge of the administration of the temple and not an Executive Officer appointed by the Commissioner of the State Endowments Department under Section 29 of the Andhra Pradesh Religious Endowments and Charitable Institutions Act of 1987.

The State had argued that a "Math is an independent juristic person". Similarly, a temple is also an independent juristic person.