JAMMU, Nov. 27 -- Taking serious note of prolonged mismanagement and alleged exploitation of temple property, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today ordered takeover of the Dewan Mandir, Pacca Danga, by appointing a Commissioner-cum-Receiver for complete administration of the shrine and its assets. Justice Rahul Bharti, while pronouncing the order in OWP No. 166/2006 titled Mandir Laxmi Narayan Ji Maharaj and another vs State of J&K and others, observed that the Deity, being a "perpetual minor in law", is entitled to full judicial protection where temple affairs have failed to safeguard its interest.
Justice Rahul Bharti recorded that large portions of the temple premises had been lost to commercial, business and even residenti...