MAHANT PARICHCHAN DAS vs THE BIHAR STATE BOARD OF RELIGIOUS TRUSTS & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's ruling that the properties in question were held under a public trust as per the Bihar Hindu Religious Trusts Act, 1951. The Court emphasized that the character of a trust cannot be determined by a single factor but must consider the totality of circumstances, including public access and community involvement. The Court found that the temple's location and the public's interest in the institution indicated it was a public trust, thus confirming the applicability of the Act.