Punchhi, J. - (1.) Rival applicant for substitution, Gurdev Dass, claiming to be Chela of Uttam Das deceased appellant, is also permitted to be brought on record. Supportive of the appeal, without deciding the rival claims of Gurdev Dass vis-a-vis Kesar Dass, who is already brought on record claiming himself to be Chela of Uttam Dass, deceased appellant, vide order dated 25-1-1993.
(2.) This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and order of a Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court at Chandigarh, dated January 11, 1984 passed in First Appeal from Order bearing No. 189 of 1973.
(3.) An institution, as held to be charitable, is located within the revenue estate of village Kanganpur, Tahsil Malerkotla, District Sangrur, Punjab, which was within the erstwhile Malerkotla State, ruled by Muslim Nawabs. The State got merged in the State of Patiala and East Punjab States Union (PEPSU) on the latter's formation as a part B State under the Constitution. Later the State of PEPSU was merged with effect from 1-11-1956 in the State of Punjab where at beforehand the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925 (hereinafter referred to as the 'Act') stood enforced. Later, by Punjab Act No.1 of 1959, the said Act was extended to the territories, which immediately before the 1st November, 1956, were comprised in the State of Punjab and Patiala and East Punjab States Union. The institution in question stands located in the extended territories. Dispute arose whether the said institution is a Sikh Gurdwara or not.;