Hyderabad: Telangana Endowments Tribunal has placed the management of the Bhagyalakshmi temple at Charminar under the jurisdiction of the endowments department. This ruling comes after a long-standing legal dispute over the temple’s administration, primarily between the families of Mahant Manohar Das and Mahant Ramchandra Das.
After several hearings and a three-month extension, the tribunal gave its final verdict on Feb 21, bringing an end to the prolonged dispute.
Despite multiple appeals to the Supreme Court and high court, which sought to delay the tribunal’s proceedings, the courts directed that the case should move forward. The tribunal’s decision, made under section 88 of the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, carries political implications, especially with the Telangana BJP using the temple as a focal point in its electoral campaigns since 2020 GHMC elections.
Sources within the endowments department said the final judgment copy will be handed over to the involved parties within a day or two. The tribunal’s decision also included an order for the temple to receive an executive order akin to those granted to other major temples, underscoring its significance.
The conflict over the temple’s management dates back to the early 2000, following a dispute between the two families. The temple has been under their control since the 1960s, following a tragic bus accident near the site that inspired local efforts to fund its renovation.
During this period, Mahant Ramchandra Das appointed Raj Mohan Das from Uttar Pradesh as the temple priest, a decision that later became a point of contention. A Supreme Court ruling had established hereditary trusteeship over the temple’s income, fuelling further disputes between family members.
Over time, a relative of Raj Mohan Das continued managing the temple, while a relative of Mahant Ramchandra Das filed a petition to assert her claim to the position. This led to a series of legal battles, including attempts to prevent the tribunal from hearing the case.
The current management of the temple retains the right to appeal the ruling in the high court under section 87 of the Telangana Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act, 1987, within 90 days of receiving the certified judgment copies. Meanwhile, the temple’s management remained unavailable for comment.