SARDAR SARUP SINGH & OTHERS vs THE STATE OF PUNJAB & OTHERS

The Supreme Court examined the constitutional validity of Section 148B of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, as amended by the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Act, 1959, which allowed certain members of the Interim Gurdwara Board to be deemed members of the Board constituted under Section 43. The Court held that this provision violated Article 26(b) of the Constitution, which guarantees the right of every religious denomination to manage its own affairs in matters of religion. The judgment emphasized that the electoral process for the Gurdwara Board must involve direct elections by the entire Sikh community, ensuring representation without government interference.