Temple records not handed over to new panel
PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has warned of an FIR as it expressed serious concern over the alleged non-cooperation of the erstwhile Managing Committee of Shree Devi Morjai Saunsthan, Morjim, Pernem, in handing over administrative control to the newly appointed committee.
The Division Bench of Justices Bharati Dangre and Ashish Chavan, hearing the matter, observed that the old committee has been playing ‘hide and seek’ as it failed to transfer crucial documents and assets, despite claims of compliance.
“As directed by us, the Administrator of Devalayas has furnished a Report as we expected the handing over of the charge from the erstwhile Managing Committee of Shree Devi Morjai Saunsthan, Morjim, Pernem, in favour of the new Managing Committee. The report under the signature of the Mamlatdar of Pernem Taluka and Administrator of Devalayas clearly reflects that the old Managing Committee is dragging its feet and playing some hide-and-seek game,” the Bench observed.
The court described the situation as ‘a very sorry state of affairs’, highlighting that the old committee has not come clean on the extent of the handover.
“We have taken the report on record and according to us, it cuts a very sorry state of affairs as we find that the Members of the old Committee are not coming clean but for saying that they have already handed over the necessary things, which would include the handing over of the charge, they have failed to hand over many important documents/items which are specifically included in Clause 4 of the Report,” it said.
The report has included the items/documents which ought to have been handed over by the old Committee. Still, compliance is not ensured, and this includes cheque books, cash-in-hand, bank locker keys, passbooks, registers of accounts, etc., along with the 11 books required to be maintained in terms of Article 369 of the Devasthan Regulations.
The Bench adjourned the petition to October 13 after Advocate Om D’Costa, representing the old committee, assured the court that he would seek instructions and make an appropriate statement. However, the bench warned that if the old Managing Committee continues with its stand, it will be constrained to direct registration of an FIR, which would require a thorough investigation, including a search of the residential premises of the members.
