The Supreme Court on Friday stayed a December 12 order of the Bombay High Court which had declared the appointment of the Ahmednagar Collector as Administrator of the Shree Shanaishwar Devasthan Trust, Shingnapur, illegal and ultra vires the Shree Shanaishwar Devasthan Trust (Shingnapur) Act, 2018, and had set aside all consequential actions taken pursuant to the appointment.

Hearing an appeal filed by the State of Maharashtra, a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant issued notice to the respondents and directed that counter affidavits be filed within two weeks. The Court stayed the High Court’s order as well as all decisions taken by the Collector in his capacity as Administrator.

Taking note of concerns raised during the hearing, the Supreme Court appointed the Commissioner, Aurangabad Division, as Administrator to ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the temple until further orders.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State, submitted that Shani Shingnapur is one of the most prominent temples in the country and that the Collector had been functioning as Administrator since September. He asserted that there was “more than what meets the eye” in the challenge to the administrative arrangement.

Opposing the State’s appeal, counsel for the elected trustees submitted that the statutory mechanism under the 2018 Act had been bypassed in favour of executive control, and alleged political interference in the appointment of the Collector as Administrator. It was argued that the Collector had already handed over charge and that there was no justification for disturbing the existing arrangement.

The Chief Justice expressed concern over the speed with which administrative changes were effected following the High Court’s order, observing that it was “shocking” that government officers acted immediately after the December 12 judgment. The Court noted apprehensions regarding the Collector’s position and influence in relation to the Trust, and said the appointment of an independent Administrator was necessary in the circumstances.

The matter will be taken up for further hearing after pleadings are completed in January third week.