Summary: A legal fight over a staircase landing at Babulnath Temple in Mumbai ends with the court ordering the removal of Dharamgiri Maharaj's representative, who claimed he had the right to live there.
The case is about a disagreement over a part of the staircase landing at the Babulnath Temple in Mumbai. Initially, Baba Ramgiriji was allowed to use this area, and after he passed away, his follower, Baba Brahmanandji, continued using it. The temple leaders later took back this permission, leading to a court case.
The Babulnath Temple Trust argued that the space was not a proper room and couldn't be rented out under the Bombay Rent Act. They said it was just a landing used by temple visitors and not a private space for anyone.
Dharamgiri Maharaj, speaking for Baba Brahmanandji, claimed that the space was indeed rented, showing rent receipts and arguing for tenant rights. They also mentioned that electricity charges were paid, suggesting a tenant relationship.
The Small Causes Court decided in favor of the temple trust, ordering the removal of the representative. Dharamgiri Maharaj appealed, but the higher court agreed with the first decision. The court found that the space was not a room and therefore not covered by tenant protection under the Bombay Rent Act.
This case shows how complicated property disputes can be, especially when they involve religious places and old permissions. The court's decision highlights the need for clear legal definitions of rental spaces and the limits of tenant rights in these situations.
