LORD JAGANNATH THROUGH JAGANNATH SINARINARASINGH DAS MAHAPA vs STATE OF ORISSA & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the notification dated 18.3.1974 issued under Section 3-A of the Orissa Estates Abolition Act, 1951, declaring the estate of Lord Jagannath to have vested in the State. The Court clarified that while Section 13-I saves a 'trust estate' from notifications under Sections 3 or 3-A, it does not provide permanent immunity from being vested by later notifications. The provisions of the Act, including Sections 7-A, 8-D, and 8-E, indicate that 'trust estates' are subject to the Act's purview, thus affirming the State's authority to vest the estate in question.