The Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict in the long-standing dispute between the Shwetambar and Digambar sects of the Jain community concerning the management and administration of the historic Mahaveer Ji Jain Temple in Rajasthan.
A Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice K Vinod Chandran concluded the hearing and directed the parties to file their written submissions within eight days. Senior Advocates Aryama Sundaram and Shyam Divan advanced submissions on behalf of the respective sides.
At the heart of the proceedings is a dispute concerning the administration of the temple and the legal framework governing its management. The litigation traces its origins to proceedings initiated under Section 40 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Act, 1959, seeking, among other reliefs, the removal of the President and Secretary of the Digambar Samiti managing the temple and the constitution of a fresh management committee representing the Shwetambar sect.
The proceedings had earlier been abated by the Trial Court in 1994 following an application invoking Section 4 of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. The Rajasthan High Court subsequently held that an order passed under Section 40 of the Rajasthan Public Trust Act constituted a decree and was therefore amenable to a statutory appeal. It further held that abatement under the 1991 Act did not extinguish the statutory right of an aggrieved party to pursue an appeal. The Digambar Samiti thereafter approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s determination.
During the hearing, the applicability of the Places of Worship Act emerged as a significant legal issue. The Digambar side, represented by Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, submitted that the controversy was confined to the management of the temple and did not involve any attempt to alter or convert the character of the place of worship. On that premise, it was argued that the statutory bar under the 1991 Act would not apply.
The Bench indicated that it would confine its consideration to the relevant legal controversy and sought an explanation as to why the statutory bar contained in Section 4 of the 1991 Act would not operate in the present case. Divan submitted that the question could ultimately be determined on the basis of evidence led by the parties.
The proceedings also witnessed pointed observations from Justice Pardiwala, who questioned the necessity of prolonged litigation between the two Jain sects over the administration of a place of religious significance.
The Court asked the parties to reflect on whether continued litigation was consistent with the sanctity of the religious institution. It also sought an assurance from the side seeking management that, if successful, there would be no alteration to the existing religious rituals and practices of the temple.
Divan maintained that the claim was restricted to management and administration for the benefit of the Jain community and did not seek conversion of the place of worship. He also submitted that matters concerning religious practice would have to be understood in their appropriate context.
The case, titled Prabandhkarini Committee Digambar Jain Atishaya Kshetra Shri Mahaveerji v. Shri Sanjeev Paliwal, is registered as SLP (C) Nos. 23209-23210/2026.
With the parties directed to place their written submissions on record within eight days, the Supreme Court has now reserved its order on the legal questions arising from the protracted dispute over the temple’s management.
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