SMT. MARUA DEI ALIAS MAKU DEI & ORS. vs MURALIDHAR & ORS.

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the High Court regarding the classification of a religious institution under the Orissa Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1951. The Court affirmed that the institution in question is a public temple as it satisfies the essential features of public worship, allowing unrestricted access to the public. The Court emphasized that the representation made by the petitioners indicated the institution's status as a public temple, thus confirming the High Court's ruling under Section 44 of the Act.