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Synopsis

The Allahabad High Court recently directed the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chhata, Mathura to come up with the entire revenue records along with the details of the change of the entries made from time to time with regard to the Banke Bihari Ji Maharaj Temple in Mathura.

The bench of Justice Saurabh Srivastava observed that it was not clear from the personal affidavit submitted by the concerned Tehsildar that when once the name of the Sri Bihari Ji Seva Trust had been recorded in the records of rights of the base year, i.e.. 1359 Fasli, as bhumidhar with transferable rights, under which circumstances, the same had been converted from time to time and several other entries had taken place in the revenue records.

Therefore, court requested the Sub-Divisional Officer, Chhata, Mathura to come up with the entire records along with the details of the change of the entries made from time to time with regard to plot no. 1081 situated at village-Shahpur, Chhata, Mathura and apprise the court by way of filing a separate affidavit.

Court, however, dispensed the personal appearance of the Sub-Divisional Officer. It added, 

"...but for proper assistance to the Court, if she along with any competent revenue authority may be present on the next date, so that the issue raised by the petitioner may be adjudicated finally after perusal of the records." 

The order was passed in a writ petition moved by Sri Bihari Ji Seva Trust alleging that initially documented under the name of Mandir Banke Bihari Ji Maharaj in state revenue records, the ownership of the temple land underwent alteration in 2004, and was registered as a graveyard. 

The petitioner moved the High Court seeking direction for correction in the revenue records. 

The matter will be next heard on September 5, 2023. 

Case Title: Sri Bihari Ji Seva Trust v. State Of U.P. And 4 Others