Seize Chintpurni Temple vehicles being used by govt officials: HC

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the seizure of vehicles bought from the funds and resources of the Mata Shri Chintpurni Temple Trust and allegedly being used by government officials.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi passed the directions while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Ankur Kalia.

The court took note of allegations that a vehicle purchased from temple funds was being used by the Deputy Commissioner of Una and another vehicle donated to the temple was allegedly in use by the Police Department. Taking a serious view, the Bench directed that such vehicles be seized and kept in safe custody pending further orders.

Notices have been issued to the Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh and the Principal Secretary (Language, Art & Culture)-cum-Chief Commissioner (Temples).

The petitioner had sought directions to restrain officials from using a Toyota Innova Crysta allegedly purchased from temple funds and has called for its seizure. The plea also seeks maintenance of status quo on all movable and immovable assets of the trust and a bar on transfer or disposal of such assets without prior court approval.

Further, the petition seeks submission of vehicle logbooks from 2022 to 2024, including those of vehicles manufactured by Maruti Suzuki and Tata Motors, along with a complete inventory of all vehicles owned or controlled by the trust.

Alleging misuse of temple properties and lack of transparency, the petitioner had also sought a direction requiring one of the respondents to furnish a personal bond of Rs 30 lakh, undertaking to repay over Rs 2.29 crore with interest if held liable.