Indore HC Ends 72-Year Ram Mandir Dispute, Declares Shree Ram Absolute Owner

The Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has concluded a 72-year-old conflict over the administration of Shree Ram Mandir in Khachrod, Ujjain district. According to the court's decision, the deity Shree Ram is the sole owner of the temple and its movable and immovable assets. The temple will continue to be managed by the State through the Revenue Department.

Justice Vinay Saraf delivered the ruling on Tuesday, following an initial appeal filed in 1968 that originated from a civil suit initiated in 1954 by Ratandas, the son of Murlidas Bairagi. The dispute encompassed the temple's management, the position of its priest, ownership of its properties, and the involvement of the Maheshwari community.

Ratandas argued that the temple was founded by Baba Mayaramdas and that, according to Ramanand sect customs, its Mahant and priest were chosen according to traditional practices. He sought the authority to manage the temple and its assets, as well as a prohibition against alleged interference by the Maheshwari community. Both the State and the Maheshwari community contested his assertions, contending that the temple belonged to the community, and Ratandas was merely a priest appointed under the Auqaf administration.

The court determined that Mahant Murlidas had petitioned the Auqaf authorities to place the temple under State oversight. On October 15, 1930, the Auqaf Department took the temple and its assets under State control. The court concluded that the arrangement had reached its final stage and that the State, through the Auqaf Department, which is now merged with the Revenue Department, was responsible for managing the temple.

The court found that the Ramanand sect ascetics administered the Bhekh ceremony and designated Ratandas as Mahant. The Auqaf Committee subsequently appointed him priest and entrusted him with the responsibility of the temple in 1948. However, this role was later revoked due to objections from Maheshwari community members. The High Court overturned the trial court's 1968 ruling that dismissed Ratandas' lawsuit.

The court declared Shree Ram as the absolute owner of the temple at Ramolla, Khachrod, and all its movable and immovable properties. It also found that the Auqaf Department had the authority to appoint the priest, recognizing Ratandas as the duly appointed Pujari with the right to perform priestly duties. Nevertheless, the court declined Ratandas' request for a perpetual injunction against the Maheshwari community, acknowledging that its members are devotees of the temple.

The dispute had previously reached the Supreme Court. A 1993 High Court ruling permitting the appeal was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2020, which referred the matter back for fresh consideration on its merits. The judgment thus acknowledges the deity's ownership, maintains State management, and affirms Ratandas' status as Pujari, while permitting Maheshwari community members to continue as devotees.