The Telangana High Court has granted the state's Endowments Department commissioner an additional week to produce all original documents and supporting materials related to temple lands at Devarayamjal near Shameerpet on Hyderabad's outskirts.
Court's Directive on Temple Land Documentation
Justice Anil Kumar issued the order on Friday after expressing dissatisfaction with the Pahani documents previously submitted by the commissioner following the court's earlier directions. The judge specifically instructed the official to provide complete records starting from 1926, covering the full extent of the temple properties in question.
The court has mandated the submission of all Original Applications (OAs) along with comprehensive documentation including survey numbers, exact land area measurements, and precise boundary details. This directive comes as part of an ongoing legal examination of the temple land records.
Commissioner's Compliance and Court's Response
While the commissioner did appear before the court as previously ordered and submitted some Pahani documents related to the lands, the bench found the documentation insufficient. The court emphasized that the submitted materials failed to provide a complete picture of the temple land holdings.
In a significant development, Justice Anil Kumar has provided clear instructions for handling any missing records. The commissioner must file detailed affidavits explaining the circumstances and complete details surrounding any unavailable documents or information.
Relief from Personal Appearance
The court has recorded the commissioner's appearance and subsequently dispensed with the requirement for his personal presence during future hearings of the case. This decision acknowledges the commissioner's compliance with the appearance directive while shifting focus to the substantive documentation requirements.
The case concerns the proper documentation and preservation of temple lands at Devarayamjal, with the court seeking to establish a comprehensive record of these properties spanning nearly a century of ownership and management history.
