‘If no scientific approach is adopted, ‘truth’ will always suffer defeat’

The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court held, “if no scientific approach is adopted, ‘truth’ will always suffer defeat”, and directed offences of dishonest and conspiracy be registered towards the trustees of the Jagadamba Devi Sarvajanik Trust after allegations had been made on gold being hidden below the statue of goddess within the temple.

A Division Bench of Justices T.V. Nalawade and M.G. Sewlikar was listening to a legal petition filed by Namdev Garad, former trustee of the belief located at Mohote, Ahmednagar district, to name the complete report of accounts and audits of the belief, from 2009-2019, together with particulars of valuable metals collected and process undertaken for them. The plea seeks the registration of an FIR towards the individuals concerned within the fee of the crime, and to excavate and dig out the alleged “enchanted gold hidden under the statue of the goddesses at the temple”.

Mr. Garad alleged that in 2011 and afterwards, some unlawful acts had been dedicated by the trustees, who had been concerned within the burying of round 2 kg of gold within the identify of “yantras”, and exhibiting a further expenditure of ₹25 lakh “for conducting ceremonies with respect to the so-called yantras”. He additionally alleged misappropriation of funds regardless of a judicial officer of the rank of District Judge being the chairman of the belief.

An affidavit filed by the belief stated a choice was taken for the renovation of the temple and using “91 Suvarna Yantras” which had been to be discovered “below the statues of various Gods and Goddess[es]”. It is contended that by passing the decision, gold weighing 1,890 gm was made out there by the trustees and round ₹24 lakh was authorized as materials and labour expenses for the preparation of yantras and for performing spiritual rituals.

The courtroom famous: “The record of so-called inquiry made by clerical staff of the trust office, inaction on the part of Deputy Charity Commissioner, show of inquiry made by police into the matter show that authorities have no courage to take action even when such serious thing has happened. That might have happened due to general fear which may be in the minds of the persons that they are avoiding taking steps against the Trust committee. The general fear may be of different kind like possibility that they may invite trouble as the matter involves religious feelings and it can be viewed as act against God.”

The courtroom directed the trustees to be charged with dishonest and held, “The authorities are expected to work with a secular mind in such a case and they need to adhere to the ‘truth’. The authority needs to have scientific approach in such matters, and they need to adhere to the provisions of law. With that approach they need to make inquiry and investigation and take action. The authority cannot accept the religious propositions like made in the present matter for trustees as such propositions cannot be scientifically proved. If no such approach is adopted, ‘truth’ will always suffer defeat and the tendency like one shown by the trustees in the present matter will go on increasing.”