The deity Sri Satyabadi Gopinath Dev Sakhigopal in the district of Puri is an
ancient religious institution. The Asst. Commissioner of Endowments by exercising his jurisdic
tion under Section 27 of the Act constituted the non-hereditary Trust Board for management of
the affairs of the said deity. Admittedly the term of the earlier trust board of the deity exp
ired since January, 2015. While the matter stood thus, on 21.1.2015 a public notice was issued
by the Inspector Endowment vide Annexure-1 fixing the date on 31.1.2015 in presence of the As
st. Commissioner, Endowment in the temple office itself for recommendation the names of the tr
ust board to be constituted. It was also stated that the interested persons may be present in
the said meeting and provide their valuable suggestions and objections, if any. Accordingly th
e schedule meeting was held and the list of proposed names were submitted to the Assistant Com
missioner of Endowments for approval of the trust board. On 9.3.2015 the opposite party No.3 v
ide Annexure-2 issued notice to the general public for their suggestion/objection if any again
st the proposed nine persons. The opposite party No.3 after hearing the objections, sent the p
roposal along with a copy of the objection to the Government for consideration of the names fo
r approval of the trust board. However the Government without taking any action on the proposa
l sent by the Assistant Commissioner has issued a letter on 18.1.2016 vide Annexure-3 suggesti
ng six other names. The names proposed by order dated 18.1.2016 was without following the stat
utory provision and requested the Assistant Commissioner whether the said persons are qualifie
d as per the provisions laid down under Section 29 of the Act to be members of the trust board
