G.JAYALAKSHMI vs ARULMIGHU PAZHIKANCHIYA VINAYAGAR TRUSTE

The Supreme Court addressed the appeal concerning the classification of Sri Pazhikanjia Vinayagar Temple under the Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1959. The Court upheld the findings of the Deputy Commissioner and the Commissioner that the temple is not a religious institution as defined under Section 6(18) of the Act, thus affirming the status of the temple as a private entity. The appeal was dismissed, reinforcing the legal principle that the classification of a temple as a public or private institution hinges on its operational characteristics rather than mere ownership claims.