Pujari Has No Proprietary Rights Over Temple Property; Cannot Claim Adverse Possession: Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court refused a second appeal filed by a pujari against removal of an illegally constructed temple on land belonging to a private owner.

The suit arose after the landowner found that a temple was being built at the entrance of her plot and an inauguration card had been circulated.

The Court said a pujari is only a servant of the deity and does not gain any proprietary or possessory rights over temple property.

The Court held that adverse possession could not be claimed by a servant and upheld the order directing removal of the unauthorized construction.

[Rameshbhai Umakant Sharma v. Ashaben Kamleshkumar Modi & Ors.]