The Assam government informed the apex court that the Doloi Samaj is running temple affairs satisfactorily
The Supreme Court of India has granted relief in the matter concerning the management of the Maa Kamakhya Temple in Assam. The case involves a civil appeal filed by Kabindra Prasad Sarma against the Chief Secretary of the Government of Assam and others.
The Court, after condoning the delay and granting leave, heard the arguments from both sides. The State of Assam, in its affidavits filed on September 3, 2023, and November 8, 2023, provided certain assurances and updates related to the temple and its administration.
The affidavit dated September 3, 2023, mentioned a decision taken in a meeting presided over by the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 13, 2023. According to the affidavit, the Doloi Samaj is presently managing the affairs of the temple satisfactorily in coordination with the local administration, and this arrangement was suggested to continue.
In a subsequent affidavit dated November 8, 2023, the State of Assam highlighted that it is actively involved in the development activities of Maa Kamakhya Temple under the PM DevINE Scheme. The affidavit also informed the Court that a savings bank account with a balance of ₹11,00,664.50 has not been operated since October 4, 2017. The State proposed to hand over this amount to Doloi Samaj, Maa Kamakhya Devalaya, and close the account.
Considering these assurances, the Supreme Court directed that instead of the earlier impugned orders, the arrangements mentioned in the affidavits of the State of Assam, including the continuation of the present system of managing temple affairs, will persist.
The Court took on record the State Government's assurance of actively participating in the development activities of Maa Kamakhya Temple. The appeals were partly allowed based on these terms.
