Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)

Dharwad, Sep 13: During the first hearing of the dispute over a government order handing over the administration of Gokarn Mahabaleshwar temple, a pilgrimage centre, to Ramachandrapur Math, the Highcourt Circuit Bench has asked both the government as well as Ramachandrapur Math to produce relevant records relating to the rights over Gokarn temple. It has posted the case for final hearing, on October 15.

Advocate from Bangalore A G Holla representing Ramachandrapur Math and prosecution lawyer Dineshwar Rao argued, that applicant Balachandra Dixit does not have locus standi to object to the handing over of the Gokarn temple administration to the Math. They strongly justified the government's action.

Senior advocate from Bangalore Subrahmanyam Jois said, that Dixit is the current trustee of the temple and that his father and grandfather were too trustees of this temple. Hence he has the right to raise objections, he argued.

Justice Ananda Byrareddy who heard the arguments, while posting the final hearing to October 15 for production of records, also gave time till then, to the Math and the government to file their objections to the arguments made by the temple trustee.

The court at the same time, rejected a petition filed by Balachandra Dixit, requesting the court for an injunction against the entry of Raghavendra Math Swamiji Raghaveshwarateerta into Gokarn temple.