The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to grant an interim stay on the transfer of funds from the Trust of the famous Siddhivinayak Temple to the State government for the Shiv Bhojan thali meal scheme launched by the Chief Minister and Chief Minister's Relief Fund to fight COVID-19.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Revati Mohitedere was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Leela Ranga challenging government resolutions dated March 19, June 25 and July 23. By such resolutions, it has been decided to transfer ₹5 crore from the temple trust to the Government to give effect to a scheme.
According to advocate Pradeep Sancheti, representing Ms. Ranga, such transfer is illegal and beyond the provisions of the Shree Siddhi Vinayak Ganpati Temple Trust (Prabhadevi) Act, 1980.
Mr. Sancheti sought an interim stay on any transfer of money from the temple funds to the government. The court refused the same but however said that if any irregularities are found relating to the funds, it would direct the government to refund the amount.
The court directed the State and the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganpati Temple Trust Management Committee to file affidavits in response to the plea.
Additional Government Pleader Geeta Shastri sought time to file the reply. The court posted the matter to be heard in the first week of October.
