Gujarat High Court: Temple Priest Cannot Claim Ownership of Land Through Worship

• The Gujarat High Court ruled that a temple priest is merely a 'servant of the deity' and cannot claim ownership of temple land.
• Justice J.C. Doshi's single bench rejected a priest's appeal claiming ownership of Ganesh temple land on a public road in Ahmedabad.
• The priest argued adverse possession due to long-term worship and residence, but the court stated his possession was not hostile.
• The court clarified that performing religious service does not create legal rights over land, and unauthorized structures on public property cannot be protected.
• The dispute began when a landowner sought removal of the temple, leading to lower courts ordering demolition before the High Court appeal.

Why It Matters: Gujarat High Court affirms priests are deity's servants, not landowners, rejecting adverse possession claims on temple land.