High Court Blocks Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development: Royal Family Challenges Act

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state will seek to vacate the High Court's stay on the Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority Act of 2024, which was challenged by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the Mysuru royal family. The Act, meant to create an authority for the development and maintenance of the Chamundeshwari temple, is claimed to be unconstitutional by Wadiyar.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday stated that the government will seek to lift the High Court's stay on the Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority Act of 2024.

The High Court had halted the Act's implementation following a legal challenge by Pramoda Devi Wadiyar of the Mysuru royal family, questioning its legality.

Passed in February, the Act aims to establish an independent authority to oversee the development and maintenance of the Chamundeshwari temple.

'We will try to vacate the High Court stay legally,' Siddaramaiah told reporters.

Home Minister G Parameshwara added that creating such authorities ensures better administration and facilities for temples.

'Money gets collected at these temples, and it's best managed with an official authority,' Parameshwara mentioned. The court extended the stay until the next hearing date, scheduled for August 22.

Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, speaking from Mysuru, called the Act 'unconstitutional,' arguing that the Chamundi Hill is private property of the royal family. The petition asserts that the Act infringes on the fundamental rights of the royal family and questions the state's legislative authority.

The Chamundeshwari temple has long been a legal battleground between the Karnataka government and the Mysuru royal family. The temple, over 1,000 years old, rose to prominence under the Wadiyar dynasty, who were devout worshippers of Goddess Chamundeshwari.