of impeachable character with devotion towards the deity. Sections 25A and 26 were introduced by insertion and substitution in the Act with that object. Therefore, the appointment of trustees cannot be based merely on political will. Opportunity must be given to all devotees and the process of selection must be transparent. The person to be appointed as trustee, must be satisfied with all the requirements, as per the provisions of the HR&CE Act and the judicial pronouncements and does not suffer from the vice of disqualification under section 26. The person so appointed proves to be religious and an ardent devotee and that, a mere political connection would not vitiate such appointment. It is pertinent to point out that a non-hereditary trustee can occupy a post only for a specific period. However, the existence of the political domination would be evident from the repeated and continuous appointment of same persons as trustees for several years, in different posts of the Board so as to ensure such person continues in the Board would cast a spell of cloud over such appointment and hence, should be avoided. It is settled law that an authority cannot do indireclty, that which, it is not permitted to do directly [See: D.C. Wadhwa and others v. State of Bihar, (1987) 1 SCC 378] . The decision in the LIC of India's case is not applicable to the facts of the present case, as already, there is Rule 20 of The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious
