Alienating church assets; High Court has crossed the line, says Supreme court

NEW DELHI: The steps the High court has taken after the ruling that Bishops have no power to alienate the assets of the church have crossed the line, says Supreme Court. Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Bela M Trivedi expressed dissatisfaction with the high court order to continue with follow-up actions, to the parties that included the central government as well.

'In a 482 filed by the Archbishop, the High Court holds that the property is not vested in the Bishop. How can civil rights come under a 482 petition?' enquired the supreme court. The Supreme court also pointed out that the high court proceedings ended once the petition was rejected and that the cardinal also must follow the law.