Ramdas v. Vaishnavadas — 1982 DIGILAW 496 (MP)

JUDGMENT G.P. Singh, C.J. 1. This is a plaintiff's appeal against the judgment and decree dated 21st September 1976 passed by the Second Additional District Judge, Bilaspur, in Civil Suit No. 3-A of 1976. 2. The dispute in this appeal relates to the succession to the office of Mahant of the Sheorinarayan Math in Bilaspur District. The last Mahant Laldas, hereinafter referred to as the late Mahant, died on 24th August 1958. The possession of the Math and its properties were taken over by defendant-respondent No.1 Vaishnavdas, who is the Mahant of the Dudhadhari Math of Raipur. The respondent claimed that Laldas executed two wills, one on 11th March 1958, which is a registered will, and another on 15th August 1958, which is an unregistered will, by virtue of which all the properties including the office of Mahant were bequeathed in his favour. The appellant instituted the suit on 19th May 1959 for declaration that he was entitled to succeed to the office of Mahant of the Math and to its properties mentioned in Schedules A to D to the plaint, as Nati Chela of the late Mahant. The appellant alleged that the office of Mahant of the Math descended from Guru to Chela through a long line of Mahants. The appellant also alleged that the late Mahant initiated as his Chela his brothers son Damodardas who predeceased him and the appellant was initiated as Chela by the said Damodardas. The appellant further alleged that the office of Mahant remained in the family of the late Mahant. The appellant by relation is grant son of the brother of the late Mahant. The properties mentioned in Schedules A to D of the plaint were referred to as private properties of the late Mahant. The appellant denied that there was any will executed by the late Mahant in favour of the respondent. It was also stated by him that the Math belonged to Ramanuj Sampradaya and the respondent being of Ramanand Sampradaya, could not be made a Mahant of the Math. The respondent, on the other hand, relied upon the will referred to above. The respondent denied that the appellant was Nati Chela of the late Mahant. The respondent alleged that in the absence of any Chela, the late Mahant could nominate by will or otherwise any ascetic belonging to the same cult as a Mahant of the Math. The respondent, on the other hand, relied upon the will referred to above. The respondent denied that the appellant was Nati Chela of the late Mahant. The respondent alleged that in the absence of any Chela, the late Mahant could nominate by will or otherwise any ascetic belonging to the same cult as a Mahant of the Math. The respondent admitted that he belonged to Ramanand Sampradaya, but he alleged that the Math also was of the same Sampradaya and not of Ramanuj Sampradaya. 3. The Trial Court held that the properties mentioned in Schedules A to D to the plaint were not personal properties of the late Mahant and that they were properties of the Math, and it is only the person who succeeded to the office of Mahant who could be entitled to possession of those properties by virtue of his office. The trial Court also held that it was not proved that the appellant was initiated as Chela by Damodardas. It was further held that there was not even any evidence that Damodardas was initiated as Chela by the late Mahant. The trial Court held in favour of the respondent that the registered will dated 11th March 1958 and the unregistered will dated 15th August 1958 were both executed by the late Mahant. It was, however, held that the respondent succeeded to the office of Mahant by nomination under the unregistered will dated 15th August 1958 and not under the registered will which merely bequeathed the properties and did not nominate the respondent as successor Mahant. It was also found in favour of the respondent that the Math belonged to Ramanand Sampradaya and that in the absence of any Chela it was open to the late Mahant to nominate any Ramanandi ascetic to the office of Mahant. On these findings the suit was dismissed. 4. Both the parties did not challenge before us the public character of the Math and its properties mentioned in Schedules A to D. It was conceded that only the person who succeeded to the office of Mahant could get possession of these properties in the capacity of manager by virtue of his office. The dispute before us thus centres round the office of Mahant. 5. Before proceeding further, it is necessary to mention briefly the history of the Sheorinarayan a Math. The dispute before us thus centres round the office of Mahant. 5. Before proceeding further, it is necessary to mention briefly the history of the Sheorinarayan a Math. The Math is situated in the village Sheorinarayan, 62.04 Kilometers from Bilaspur on the left bank of Mahanadi. It is an ancient Math and is a well known place of pilgrimage. The entire Chhatisgarh area which includes the District of Bilaspur was ruled by the Kalchuri clan of Rajputs from the 9th century A.D. to the 18th century A.D. The capital of these rulers was at Ratanpur which is at a short distance from Bilaspur. The Kalchuries of Ratanpur were all defendants of the Kalchuris of Chedi or Dahala with their capital at Tripuri near Jabalpur. Kalchuries belong to Haihayas race claiming descent from Kartaviryarjuna of the Epic and the Puranic fame and are also referred to as Haihayas: [Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteer of Bilaspur District, pp. 56 to 66]. The popular belief which is also adverted to in the plaint is that the temple of Narayana which is the principal temple of the Math was constructed during the reign of Jajalladeva II who ruled from 1165 A.D. to 1168 A.D. There are two stone inscriptions which are important for finding out as to when the temple of Narayana in the Math was built. The first inscription which is of the Kalchuri year 898 is incised on the pedestal of the statue of a male person in a small shrine in the courtyard of the temple of Narayana. The corresponding English date of this inscription is 9th September 1146 A.D. The object of the inscription is to record that the statue is of a warrier named Sangramasimha the son of Balasimha and Amanadevi. The praise which is here lavished in the inscription is wholly conventional and has no historical importance: [See Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum (Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era) Vol. IV, Pt. II, pp. 582 to 584]. The only thing of importance in this inscription is the date and the fact that it starts with an invocation to 'Shiv'. The Secand inscription is of the Kalchuri or Chedi year 919. The stone which bears this inscription is built in the temple of Chandrachudeshvara which stands in close vicinity to that of Narayana temple. 582 to 584]. The only thing of importance in this inscription is the date and the fact that it starts with an invocation to 'Shiv'. The Secand inscription is of the Kalchuri or Chedi year 919. The stone which bears this inscription is built in the temple of Chandrachudeshvara which stands in close vicinity to that of Narayana temple. The date of the inscription is not available but the year corresponds to 1167-68 A.D. The inscription belongs to the reigh of Jajalladeva II of the Kalchuri Dynasty of Ratanpur. The immediate object of the inscription is to record the donation of the village Chincheli by Amanadeva, a descendant of a collateral branch of the Kalchuri Dynasty for the purpose of defraying the expenses of worship of God Chandrachuda and the erection of a temple of Durga in front of the shrine. The inscription is however, historically important as it furnishes an account of the collateral dynasty of Ratanpur. This inscription also begins with an invocation to Shiv: [Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era Pt. II, pp. 519 to 527]. It is generally believed that the temple of Narayana was constructed during the same period to which the above inscriptions belong. There is some controversy as to whether the idol in this temp1e is of Vishnu or Shiva. It is stated in the Archaeological Survey of India Report. Vol. VII, p. 196 that the deity in the temple is Shaivic and not Vaishanavic. The same thing is repeated in the Madhya Pradesh District Gazetteer of Bilaspur District at p. 524. The Survey Report which states that the idol is of Shiv was made by J.D. Beglar, who was Assistant to Major-General A. Cunningham, Director General. Archaeological Survey of India. The inference drawn by Beglar on this point does not appear to be correct. The idol is a figure in a sitting posture and not Shivalingum. The very fact that the idol has been worshipped as Narayana or Vishnu for ages proves that it is of Vishnu and not of Shiv. Probably, the Beglar's report was influenced by the fact that the stone inscriptions which we have referred to above begin with an invocation to Shiva and the Kalchuri Ruler in whose in whose reign the Shrine was founded were also of Shaivic faith. In our opinion, however, the correct position is stated by Dr. Mirashi in his introduction to Vol. Probably, the Beglar's report was influenced by the fact that the stone inscriptions which we have referred to above begin with an invocation to Shiva and the Kalchuri Ruler in whose in whose reign the Shrine was founded were also of Shaivic faith. In our opinion, however, the correct position is stated by Dr. Mirashi in his introduction to Vol. IV of Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum (Inscriptions of the Kalachuri-Chedi Era pt. I, Pp. xxiii, CXV, cli and clxiii) that though Shaivism was the predominant cult in Dakshina Kosala i.e. Chattisgarh, but Vaishnavism also was prevalent and that the old temple at Shiorinarayan is of Vishnu and was ereeted by a collateral branch of the royal family of Ratanpur. This is also the view of a modern author on Kalchuri Rulers and their descendants: [See Kalchuri Naresh Aur Unke Vanshaj (1932) p.33 by Dr. Ram Kumar Singh]. The parties have also accepted this position before us. 6. The next question that may now be considered is whether the Math which undoubtedly is a Vaishanava Math belongs to the order of Ramanuj or that of Ramanand. As earliear noticed, the case of the appellant is that the Math is of Ramanuj Sampradaya whereas the case of the respondent is that the Math is of Ramanand Sampradaya. Apart from the oral evidence, there are two booklets Exs.4/D.1 and 4/D-2 which relate to the affairs of the Math and which were published long back and contain useful information. The year of publication of Ex.4/D-1 is not clear but it appears to have been published by one Gautamdas when Damodardas, predecessor of Laldas, was the Mahant. At p. 5 of Ex. 4/D-1 it is stated that the Math and the Mahant are Vaishanava of Ramanuj Sampradaya. In Ex. 4/D-2 which was published on the authority of the late Mahant Laldas in the Samvat year 1960, soon after the death of Mahant Damodardas, it is stated at p. 6 that the Math and the Mahant belong to Ramanand Sampradaya. We have already stated that according to the plaint, the temple of Narayana in the Math had its origin during the reign of Jajalladeva II, who ruled from 1165 to 1168 A.D. In those days the prevalent Vaishanava cult was that of Ramanuja. The traditional date of Ramanuja's birth is 1017 A.D. He formulated the philosophy of Visistadvaita. We have already stated that according to the plaint, the temple of Narayana in the Math had its origin during the reign of Jajalladeva II, who ruled from 1165 to 1168 A.D. In those days the prevalent Vaishanava cult was that of Ramanuja. The traditional date of Ramanuja's birth is 1017 A.D. He formulated the philosophy of Visistadvaita. The deity worshipped by followers of Ramanuja is Narayana: [The Cultural Heritage of India published by the Ram Krishna Mission Institute of Culture, Vol. IV (the Religions) p. 174-175]. Ramanand who also belonged to Vaishanava cult and who considerably reformed it to suit the need of the times, flourished in the 14th century. It is stated that he was fifth in descent from Ramanuja. The unique contribution of Ramanand in the Indian spiritual life was the spirit of synthesis Ramanand borrowed ideas from all the various religious schools, vitalised then with love and devotion of his heart and founded a new Path of spiritual realization He discarded all the distinctions of caste and creed and saw humanity as one large family. According to his teachings, one man is higher than another not through his birth but only through his love and sympathy. His first twelve followers were Ravidas the cobbler. Kabir the weaver, Dhanna the jat peasent, Sena the Barber, Pipa the Rajput, Bhavananda, Sukhananda, Asananda, Suresurananda, Parmananda, Mahananda and Sri Ananda. Some of them were not personally initiated by him; they were drawn to his ideas and ideals long after his demise. The last six of them are said to have belonged to the order of Ramanuja and to have left it along with Ramananda. The principal deity of the followers of Ramananda is Shri Rama: [Cultural Heritage of India, Vol. IV (the Religions) pp. 60, 378 to 380]. The principal deity in tile Math is that of Narayana and the temple and the Math were founded in the 12th century when the order of Ramanand was not born. It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude that the Math, to begin with, was a Vaisanava Math of Ramanuja Sampradaya. But it appears that after passage of time and with the spread of the order of Ramanand, the temple and the Math came within its fold. This conclusion can be reached on a number of considerations. It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude that the Math, to begin with, was a Vaisanava Math of Ramanuja Sampradaya. But it appears that after passage of time and with the spread of the order of Ramanand, the temple and the Math came within its fold. This conclusion can be reached on a number of considerations. We have already stated that in Ex.4/D-2, the book-let issued in the Samvat year 1960 i.e. 1903-4-A. C. D. by the late Mahant Laldas, he described the Math and the Mahant to belong to Ramanand Vaishanava Sampradaya. Mahant Laldas must have had the knowledge as to which Vaislunava sect he and the Math belonged and the statements made by him in Ex.4/D-2 must be accepted as almost conclusive on that point. It is true that in Ex.4/D-1 which was issued during the time of Mahant Damodardas, the Math is described to be of Ramanuja Sampradaya. This booklet, however, does not seem to have been issued by the Mahant himself and therefore, that importance cannot be given to it as to the statement of Mahant Laldas contained in Ex.4/D-2. Both the booklets begin with a Shlok which contains an invocation to Shri Ram, the principal deity of Ramanand Sampradaya. The translation of Sheorinarayana Mahatma which was composed in Sanskrit is contained in the booklet Ex.4/D-1. A reading of that will show that the popular belief is that the place was originally known as Narayan Dham and it is only when Shri Ram visited the place and accepted the hospitality of Shabri that it came to be known as Sheorinarayana. The present importance of the place is thus due to mythical visit of Shri Ram to that place. These consideration lead us to conclude that at certain stage with the passage of time the Math became a Ramanandi Math and was presided over by Ramanandi Mahants. 7. The next question is whether the appellant is entitled to succeed to the office of Mahant. The law on the point is now well settled by various decisions of the Privy Council and the Supreme Court. Succession to the Mahantship' of a Math is regulated by custom or usage of the particular institution except where a rule of succession is laid down by the founder himself who created the endowment. The law on the point is now well settled by various decisions of the Privy Council and the Supreme Court. Succession to the Mahantship' of a Math is regulated by custom or usage of the particular institution except where a rule of succession is laid down by the founder himself who created the endowment. One who claims the office by right of succession is bound to allege and prove what the custom of the particular institution is, for the only law regulating succession to such institution is to be found in the custom and practice of that institution. Where the head of a religious institution is bound by celibacy, it is frequently the usage that he nominates his successor by appointment during his own life-time or by will. Such a power of nomination must, however, be exercised not corruptly or for ulterior reasons but bona fide and in the interest of the Math: Mahalinga Thambiran v. Aruluandi Thambira [ AIR 1974 SC 199 p.202] and Krishna Singh v. Mathura Ahir [ AIR 1980 SC 707 , p. 716]. We have already mentioned that the custom pleaded by the appellant in the plaint is that the office of the Mahant of the Math descends from Guru to Chela. The first Mahant of the Math was Mahant Dayaramdas. The late Mahant Laldas was the thirteenth Mahant. The names of all the Mahants who succeeded in accordance with the said custom are given in the booklets Exs.4/D-1 and 4/D-2 and also stated in paragraph 8 of the plaint. These facts are not in dispute. It is further not in dispute that by custom the Mahants are celibate ascetics. Mahant Mathuradas was the 8th Mahant. The succeeding Mahants upto Mahant Laldas belonged to his family. We have also mentioned that the case of the appellant is that Laldas initiated his brother's son Damodardas as his Chela and Damodardas initiated the appellant as his Chela. The appellant claimed succession on the ground that he is Nati Chela of Mahant Laldas. The first hurdle that the appellant is not able to cross is that it is nowhere clearly pleaded in the plaint that according to the custom or usage of the Math, in the absence of Chela, Nati Chela can succeed as a matter of right. Further, there is absolutely no evidence that a Nati Chela ever succeeded as Mahant of the Sheorinarayana Math. Further, there is absolutely no evidence that a Nati Chela ever succeeded as Mahant of the Sheorinarayana Math. However, even assuming that there is a custom that a Nati Chela can succeed we are not convinced on the evidence produced by the appellant that he was initiated as Chela by Damodardas. 8. The fact whether Damodardas was a Chela of the late Mahant Laldas is also disputed. It appears that Mahant Laldas was not happy with Damodardas. He gave a general notice in a local newspaper 'Toofan' on 14th March 1956 to the effect that Damodardas was not his Chela and would not succeed him as Mahant. A reply to this general notice was published by Damodardas in 'Toofan' of 2nd May 1956 contradicting the statement of the Mahant. However, it is clearly admitted therein that the Mahant was not happy with him and he was turned out and was not living in the Math. These two issues of Toofan are Exs.1/D-3 and 1/D-4. Even assuming that Damodardas was initiated as a Chela by Mahant Laldas, it is clear that from March 1950 his relations with Mahant Laldas were strained and he was not living in the Math. The appellant, according to the date of birth given in the school leaving certificates Exs.P-51 and P-52 was born in July 1955. According to the plaint allegations in paragraph 44-C the appellant was initiated as Chela on Magh Shukla 13 Samvat 2013, which corresponds to 12th February 1957. Damodardas died on 29th June 1957. At the time of initiation as Chela, take appellant was nearly 1-1/2 years of age. Minority is no doubt not a bar for a person to he initiated as a Chela, nevertheless it looks strange that a boy who was only 1-1/2 years of age and who was the only son of his father was initiated as ascetic Chela by Damodardas. Further, we have already mentioned that the relations of Damodardas with Mahant Laldas were strained and he was turned out from the Math. It is difficult to believe that Mahant Laldas would have permitted the initiation of the appellant as Chela by Damodardas in the Math in January 1957 as is the case of the appellant. Geetabai (P.W. 1) is the appellants mother. She stated in her evidence that two years before the date of initiation it was settled that the appellant would be made a Chela. Geetabai (P.W. 1) is the appellants mother. She stated in her evidence that two years before the date of initiation it was settled that the appellant would be made a Chela. This also shows that the story of initiation deposed to is entirely false. Two years before the alleged ceremony the appellant was not even born and it is beyond comprehension that it was settled before the appellant was born that he would be initiated as a Chela. Further, Geetabai stated that invitations in writing were issued for the initiation ceremony to a number of persons. The suit was filed in 1956. No person who may have received invitation in writing was examined to produce the invitation to corroborate the evidence of initiation. The appellant examined Kashiram (P.W. 2), Udit Narayan (PW 3), Sheshnath (P.W. 4), Ratiram (P.W. 5) and Raghuwar Prasad (P.W. 6) to prove that he was initiated as a Chela. The evidence of these witnesses was read out to us and we are not prepared to differ from the trial Court that the evidence produced by the appellant is not reliable at all. The circumstances mentioned above make it highly improbable that the appellant was ever initiated as a Chela as pleaded in the plaint. We endorse the finding of the trial Court that the appellant was not initiated as a Chela by Damodardas. 9 It has also been contended against the appellant that as it is pleaded, by him that Mahants of the Math belonged to Ramanuja Sampradaya and as the appellant also claims to be of that Sampradaya, he cannot succeed to the office of Mahant on the finding that the Math is of Ramanand Sampradaya. It is true that the finding reached by us is that the later Mahants at least were of the order of Ramanand. If the late Mahant Laldas belonged to that order as has been accepted by us and if the appellant was initiated as a Nati Chela of the late Mahant, the consequence would be that the appellant will also be of the order of Ramanand. 1t is thus not possible to negative the claim of the appellant simply on his pleading that the Math and its Mahants were of Ramanuja Sampradaya. 10. 1t is thus not possible to negative the claim of the appellant simply on his pleading that the Math and its Mahants were of Ramanuja Sampradaya. 10. The next question to be examined is whether the respondent has been successful in proving the two wills and in establishing his claim to Mahantship of the Math. The respondent has examined Mahant Vasudeodas of Tapowan, Mahant Vaidehi Raman Sharan of Ayodhya. Mahant Dasrathidas of Datia, who claim to be Mahants of different Vaisnava Maths of the order of Ramanand. These witnesses have stated that the practice. of Ramanandi Maths is that the Mahant can nominate any Ramanandi ascetic as his successor. According to them, nomination by will if made by the late Mahant Laldas in favour of the respondent was in confirmity with the practice of Ramanandi Vaishnava Maths. There is, however no evidence that a person who was not a Chela of the Mahant was ever nominated as a successor by him in Sheorinarayana Math or in any of the Maths, the Mahants of which were examined. What we have to see in deciding the claim of the person who wants to succeed to the office of Mahant of a Math is the custom or usage of that particular institution. Now, as there is no evidence of any custom or usage pertaining to the Sheorinarayan Math that a person who is not a Chela can succeed by nomination to the office of Mahant, it is not possible to aceept that the respondent could be validly nominated as his successor by the late Mahant, for, admittedly the respondent was not a Chela of the late Mahant, but was himself a Mahant of another Math. However, even assuming that such a nomination could be made, we are satisfied that the will dated 15th August 1956, by which the respondent claims to be nominated by the late Mahant as his successor is not a genuine will. On this point, for the reasons given hereinafter we over-rule the finding of the trial Court which was in the respondent's favour. 11. We have already mentioned that the late Mahant Laldas executed two wills. The first will which was executed on 11th March 1958, is a registered will. This is Ex.1/D-25. On this point, for the reasons given hereinafter we over-rule the finding of the trial Court which was in the respondent's favour. 11. We have already mentioned that the late Mahant Laldas executed two wills. The first will which was executed on 11th March 1958, is a registered will. This is Ex.1/D-25. The will states that the testator had movable and immovable properties in various villages and that he was executing the will of the movable and immovable properties mentioned therein in favour of Mahant Vaishnavdas, the respondent. It is fun her stated therein that as regards the remaining properties, the testator had not made any final decision and that he will execute a will in respect of that later. Now this registered will is a disposition of the properties of the Math treating them to be the properties of the late Mahant. It is settled law and indeed the learned counsel for the respondent did not dispute the legal position that the properties of the Math vested in the institution and were held by the late Mahant as a manager for the institution and It was not open to him to make a will of the properties and the respondent could not claim the properties under the will. Learned counsel for the respondent, however drew our attention to the following words in the will. ^^ekStk f’kojhukjk;.k esa ekfyd edcwtk tehu vkSj ekS:lh tehu flok; eB eafnj] edkukr vkSj f’kojhukjk;.k Hkxoku dh p<+ks=h vkSj eafnj ds iqtkjh orZeku jkepUnz Hkksxgk ls tks fgLlk bl eB ls eq>s izkIr gksrs gSa] og lHkh esjs ejus ds i’pkr~ egUr Jh oS”.ko nklth dks feysaxsA^^ and argued that the aforesaid words in the will amount to nomination of respondent as the Mahant to succeed the late Mahant Laldas. We are unable to agree with this contention. The whole will is a disposition of properties and the aforesaid words bequeath the share in the income and offerings which the late Mahant received, in favour of the respondent. The words relied upon cannot be construed to mean that the late Mahant nominated the respondent as the successor Mahant. The will Ex.1/D-25, is thus wholly ineffective. It was argued by the learned counsel for the appellant that the will has not been properly proved. We need not consider this argument on our finding that the will is wholly ineffective. The words relied upon cannot be construed to mean that the late Mahant nominated the respondent as the successor Mahant. The will Ex.1/D-25, is thus wholly ineffective. It was argued by the learned counsel for the appellant that the will has not been properly proved. We need not consider this argument on our finding that the will is wholly ineffective. We then come to the second will which is said to have been executed by the late Mahant on 15th August 1958. This will is Ex. 1/D-6. The case of the appellant in respect of this will is that it is not a genuine will and that it has been prepared on a paper bearing the signature of the late Mahant which may have been found by the respondent after he took over possession of the Math and its properties. The very appearance of Ex.1/D-6, is somewhat suspicious. The signature of the late Mahant on this will is in a different ink from the ink used in the body writing. The paper of Ex.1/D-6, is very thin. The circumstances surrounding the execution of the will are also suspicious. The late Mahant was sufficiently educated person. When he first executed the registered will dated 11th March 1958, he got the advice of a counsel Shri J.M. Ambalkar (DW 1) who prepared the draft. The Mahant himself first wrote down that will which is Ex.1/D-27 before it was finally scribed on a watermark paper. He also took the precaution of getting the will registered. As regards the will dated 18th August 1958 (Ex.1/D-6), the late Mahant apparently did not take any such precaution. The late Mahant, if the case of the respondent is true, one day when he found, Ramrakshadas (DW 3) of Tumsa village in the Math, called him to write, down the will. Ramrakshadas happened to be in the Math on that date by chance. The attesting witness Surajdeen (DW 9) is also of Tusma village. Another witness who attested the will is Chhabilal (DW 4). The evidence of these witnesses regarding the execution of the will does not inspire confidence. We have already mentioned that Mahant Laldas while executing the first will dated 11th March 1958 had himself first written the will after consulting a lawyer. He also not that will registered. Another witness who attested the will is Chhabilal (DW 4). The evidence of these witnesses regarding the execution of the will does not inspire confidence. We have already mentioned that Mahant Laldas while executing the first will dated 11th March 1958 had himself first written the will after consulting a lawyer. He also not that will registered. It is true that in the earlier will he does mention that for the remaining properties he will be executing another will but had he decided to execute another will, he would in the normal course have taken the same precautions which he took in executing the first will. He could have himself written out the will and he would not have suddenly called a person like Ramrakshadas (DW 3) who happened to by chance in the Math, for scribing the will. Another very important circumstance to discoed it this will is that it was not discovered and relied upon at the earliest opportunity by the respondent. Immediately after the death of Mahant Laldas on 24th August 1958, the respondent took possession of the Math and its properties, He got the registered will at once after taking over possession But he did not then get the will dated 15th August 1958 (Ex.1/D-6). According to the statement of the respondent, he got this will on Diwali i.e. on 10th or 11th November 1958. Proceedings were taken before the Registrar, Public Trusts for registration of the Math as a Public trust. In those proceedings, the respondent who was a party filed a written statement on 30th June 1959. In this written statement, the respondent claimed the Math and its properties as successor merely on the basis of the registered will dated 11th March 1958. The existence of the wil1 dated 15th August 1958, was not at all disclosed or even hinted at in this written statement. Had the will dated 15th August 1958 been then in existence, it would have been natural for the respondent to claim also under that will for it is only in this will that this specifically stated that the respondent will succeed to the office of Mahant. The non-mention of the will dated 15th August 1958 in the written statement filed on 30th June 1959 clearly demonstrates that the said wil1 was not then in existence. The non-mention of the will dated 15th August 1958 in the written statement filed on 30th June 1959 clearly demonstrates that the said wil1 was not then in existence. All these circumstances leave us in no doubt that the will is a forged document which must have been prepared on a paper bearing the signature of Mahant Laldas which may have been found in the Math after his death or with some of his Mukhtars. The will dated 15th August 1958 is not genuine. The respondent has thus failed to establish his case that he was nominated as successor by the late Mahant. 12. The respondent's nomination as a Mahant has also been assailed on the ground that he was not a fit person for the office of Mahant. It is stated that the respondent got involved with one Smt. Binodini who was a widow, as a result of which Ramjidas was born who obtained the order dated 12th June 1952 for maintenance as an illegitimate son of the respondent from the criminal Court. The respondent filed a suit for challenging this order in which also he filed. The final judgment in the civil suit was delivered by the High Court in Second Appeal No. 274 of 1959 decided on 14th February 1962 (Ex. P-42). On the basis of this judgment and the order of the criminal Court, it is submitted by the appellant that as only a celibate can become a Mahant and as the respondent ceased to be a celibate after he had illicit relations with a widow, he became incompetent to be nominated as Mahant. The contention of the respondent is that these judgments are not admissible in evidence. It is not necessary for us to go into this question as on other grounds we have held that the respondent is not entitled to succeed to the office of Mahant of the Math. 13. As a result of the above discussion, we conclude that neither the appellant nor the respondent is entitled to succeed to the office of Mahant of the Sheorinarayar a Math. We find that the Registrar of Public Trusts by his order dated 26th March 1960 passed in Revenue Case No. 4-B 101/1958-59 has applied under section 26 of the M.P. Public Trusts Act, 1951, to the Court for making proper directions for the efficient and proper management of the Math and its properties. We find that the Registrar of Public Trusts by his order dated 26th March 1960 passed in Revenue Case No. 4-B 101/1958-59 has applied under section 26 of the M.P. Public Trusts Act, 1951, to the Court for making proper directions for the efficient and proper management of the Math and its properties. The registrar has suggested that a small Board of Trustees be constituted for the management of the Math and its properties. These proceedings, we are informed, are still pending as Misc. Judicial Case No. 17 of 1960 in the Court of the District Judge, Raipur. We are sure hilt the District Judge will, in the said proceeding" give necessary directions for appointment of trustees and proper and efficient management of the Math and its properties. 14. Although we have held that the respondent is also not in lawful possession of the Math and its properties as he was not appointed as successor by the late Mahant yet the appellant's suit must fail for the reason that he has failed to prove his own title to the office of Mahant (Genda puri v. Chhatar Puri [XIII Indian Appeals 100, p. 105] and Sital Das v. Sant Ram [ AIR 1954 SC 606 , p. 609]). 15. The appeal fails and is dismissed. But as we have held that the respondent is also not entitled to the office of Mahant, the parties will bear their own costs throughout.