East India Company Law
TEMPLE OF JUGGERNATH ACT, 1840
ACT NO. X. OF 1840
(Rep., Act 12 of 1891)
[20th April, 1840.]
Passed by the Right Hon’ble the Governor General of India in Council, on the 20th April, 1840 An Act for the abolition of Certain Pilgrim Taxes and for the superintendence of the Temple of Juggernath.
I. Whereas it is considered proper to abolish the exaction of all taxes or fees upon pilgrims resorting to Allahabad, Gya, and Juggernath, and to transfer the charge of the affairs of the Juggernath Temple exclusively to a competent Hindu Superintendent, under a full responsibility to the established Courts of Justice, for the redress of any violence or wrong, upon the application of any party interested;
It is hereby enacted, that so much of Section 31, Regulation XII. of 1805, as provides for the continuance of the duties levied from Pilgrims at Juggernath;
So much of Section 4, Regulation XXVII. Of 1793 as provides for the continuance of the duties levied on Pilgrims at Gya and other places of Pilgrimage;
Reg. IV. of 1806;
Reg. V. of 1806;
Sec. 9, Reg. VI. of 1808;
Reg. IV. of 1809;
Sec. 4, Reg. VI. of 1810;
Reg. XI. of 1810; and
Reg. XVIII. of 1810,
are repealed.
II. And it is hereby enacted, that the superintendence of the Temple of Juggernath, and its interior economy, the conduct and management of its affairs, and the control over the Priests, Officers and Servants attached to the Temple, shall continue vested in the Rajah of Khoorda for the time being;
provided always that the said Rajah, and all persons connected with the said Temple shall on all occasions be blushed usage, so far as the same may be consistent with the provisions of this Act.
III. And it is hereby encted, that the said Rajah of Khoorda shall not receive or allow to be received by any person connected with the said Temple, any payment, other than such voluntary donations as may be freely offered, from any person resorting to the said Temple, for the performance of religious ceremonies.
IV. And it is hereby declared and enacted, that the said Rajah, and all Priests, Officers, and Servants attached to the said Temple, are and shall be liable to be sued or prosecuted by any party interested, in any Civil or Criminal Court of competent jurisdiction, for any breach of trust, or official misfeasance, committed in the conduct of their duties, or for any extortion or illegal violence exercise upon pilgrims or others under color of the authority conveyed by this Act.