Gujarat High Court: Temple Priest Cannot Claim Ownership of Land Through Worship
Ahmedabad
N
News18•23-01-2026, 14:53
Gujarat High Court: Temple Priest Cannot Claim Ownership of Land Through Worship
- •The Gujarat High Court ruled that a temple priest is merely a 'servant of the deity' and cannot claim ownership of temple land.
- •Justice J.C. Doshi's single bench rejected a priest's appeal claiming ownership of Ganesh temple land on a public road in Ahmedabad.
- •The priest argued adverse possession due to long-term worship and residence, but the court stated his possession was not hostile.
- •The court clarified that performing religious service does not create legal rights over land, and unauthorized structures on public property cannot be protected.
- •The dispute began when a landowner sought removal of the temple, leading to lower courts ordering demolition before the High Court appeal.
Why It Matters: Gujarat High Court affirms priests are deity's servants, not landowners, rejecting adverse possession claims on temple land.
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