MAHANT HARNAM SINGH, CHELA OFBHAI NARAIN SINGH vs GURDIAL SINGH & ANR.

The Supreme Court held that the respondents, being merely Lambardars and residents of the village, lacked the requisite interest under Section 92 of the Code of Civil Procedure to file a suit for the removal of the appellant from his position as Mahant. The Court clarified that mere residence in the village does not confer an interest in the trust property, and the Nirmala Sadhus, having evolved from Sikhs to followers of Vedanta, could not be considered Sikhs, thus the respondents had no standing to sue. The High Court's decree was set aside, and the trial court's dismissal was upheld.