The Supreme Court of India, led by Justices Suryakant and Dipankar Dutta, ordered the Karnataka government to stop all activities at a temple in Anjanadri Hills, Koppal district.
New Delhi, May 27 — The Supreme Court of India has stepped in to protect the rights of a traditional priest associated with the Ram Sampradaya at a temple located in Anjanadri Hills, Koppal district, Karnataka.
The bench of Justice Suryakant and Justice Dipankar Dutta passed an interim order stopping all activity by the state government and restoring the priest’s right to worship and stay at the temple premises.
The matter came up after Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain appeared before the court, representing the head priest of the temple. The priest belongs to the Ram Sampradaya, and his family has reportedly been performing puja and maintaining the temple for the past 120 years.
Presenting the petitioner’s case, Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain submitted:
“Mylords this is Anjanadri Hills kopad district in karnataka. I am from Ram Sampradya and the head Priest from the past 120 yrss, my samprada is doing worship of this temple. Suddenly my temple in 2018 , in completely illegal manner this temple is acquired in violations of provisions of the karnataka act.”
The priest alleged that in 2018, the temple was taken over by the state in a manner that violated the Karnataka Religious Institutions Act, and that his traditional rights had been ignored without any legal justification.
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After hearing the matter, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the state government and asked them to respond.
Justice Suryakant, delivering the court’s order, stated:
“We have seen the governments action. Issue notice returnable and so on so date.”
The Court also passed an interim directive prohibiting the state from taking any further steps at the temple site. In a significant relief to the petitioner, the Court instructed that he must be allowed to carry on his religious duties and reside at the temple as before.
Justice Suryakant ordered:
“The state govt to stop all activity. Allow the petitioner (The head Priest) to continue to perform the puja duties in the temple as well as to stay in the single room of the temple along with all basic amenities which were earlier provided.”
The bench also made it clear that any disobedience of the court’s instructions would be taken seriously.
Justice Suryakant added:
“Any non-compliance will be viewed seriosuly.”
Background
Anjanadri Hills is a site of great religious importance, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman according to many followers of the Hindu faith. The temple located here has been traditionally maintained and worshipped by the priests of the Ram Sampradaya, a Hindu sect devoted to Lord Ram.
The petitioner claims that the government forcibly took over the temple in 2018 under the pretext of administration, without giving the traditional caretakers any legal opportunity to oppose or seek remedies.
The court’s direction offers temporary relief to the head priest, allowing him to continue worship and live in the temple premises. The case is now pending for further hearing on a later date.
Case Name: VIDYADAS BABAJI Versus V. RASHMI MAHESH AND ORS| SLP(C) No. 14917/2025 IV-A
