Tue May 20 16:28:31 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Telangana High Court Rules in Favor of Union Minister, Sets Aside Temple Registration Notice**
HYDERABAD, May 20, 2025 – The Telangana High Court has overturned a notice issued by the Telangana Endowments department, compelling the Mahashakthi temple in Karimnagar city to register with the government under the Telangana Endowments Act 30 of 1987. Justice E. V. Venugopal delivered the ruling in response to a writ petition filed in 2016 by Bandi Sanjay, the temple’s agent and Dharmakartha, who currently serves as the Union Minister of State for Home.
Sanjay argued that forcing the temple’s registration was illegal, citing the absence of hundials and the lack of fees collected from devotees. He also highlighted a pending 2016 application seeking exemption from the Endowments Act.
Government counsel countered that the Mahashakthi temple, constructed by Sanjay, qualifies as a public temple under the Act and is administered by the Minister and his family as “self-styled Dharmakartha.” While Sanjay claimed the temple operates under the guidance of Hampi Virupaksha Vidyaranya Peetham of Karnataka, the government argued there’s no official ratification of this arrangement.
Ultimately, Justice Venugopal sided with Sanjay, setting aside the original notice. The court has directed authorities to promptly consider the Minister’s exemption request, ideally within three months, as per Section 154 of the Endowments Act.
First Piper 