Shimla, Oct 15 (UNI) In a landmark judgment, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has ruled that the misuse or diversion of temple trust funds by trustees or state authorities amounts to a breach of trust.

The Division Bench of Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla, in a 38-page verdict in CWP No.1834 of 2018 (Kashmir Chand Shadyal vs State of H.P. and others), categorically barred the State Government, Deputy Commissioners, and temple officers from diverting temple donations to the public exchequer or using them for general development works.

The court held that every rupee donated by devotees must be utilized strictly for religious, spiritual, and charitable purposes connected with the temple. It said, “Temple funds cannot be treated like general revenue for the State or p

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