Hindu Deity Cannot Hold Land As 'Jagir' If Land Was Cultivated By Or Through Tenant: Rajasthan High Court

The Rajasthan High Court ruled that Hindu deities cannot hold land as 'Jagir' if it was cultivated by or through a tenant, affirming the Rajasthan Land Reforms & Resumption of Jagir Act, 1952. The Court stated that only land cultivated directly by the Shebait/Pujari or their hired labor for the deity could be protected from resumption. The case involved an appellant tenant whose tenancy rights were reinstated after the Court ordered an inquiry into whether the land was cultivated independently or on behalf of the deity.