Holding

The 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Church is binding on all Parish Churches and governs their administration, and the Patriarch of Antioch cannot unilaterally appoint Vicars or create a parallel system of management.

Summary

The Supreme Court dismissed appeals concerning the administration of Parish Churches within the Malankara Church, which has been divided between the Patriarch faction and the Catholicos faction. The core dispute was whether the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Church or individual Udampady agreements (such as those from 1913 and 1890) and a 2002 Constitution should govern the management of these churches. The Court held that the 1995 judgment in a representative suit was binding and operated as res judicata, establishing that the 1934 Constitution is valid and governs all Parish Churches. It ruled that the appointment of Vicars and priests is a secular matter, not a spiritual one, and that the Patriarch of Antioch cannot unilaterally appoint such officials or create a parallel system of administration. The Court emphasized that the 1934 Constitution provides a comprehensive framework for management and that individual churches or majorities cannot opt out or usurp church properties. The appeals were dismissed, and the Court directed both factions to resolve differences within the framework of the 1934 Constitution.

Issues considered

Whether the 1995 judgment is binding on the appellants and to what extent?
Whether the Parishioners have a right under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution to follow their own faith and manage affairs, including appointment of Vicar?
Whether the Udampady (agreements) of 1913 and 1890 prevail over the 1934 Constitution?
Whether the 1934 Constitution is in the nature of a contract and enforceable at present?
Whether the 2002 Constitution can hold the field for administration of Parish Churches?
Whether the 1934 Constitution requires registration under the Registration Act?
Whether the suit concerning Mannathur Church was maintainable as a representative suit?
Whether a scheme under Section 92 of the CPC should be framed?
Whether in the facts, an interim arrangement allowing two Vicars should continue?

Legislation cited

Code of Civil Procedure, 1908s. Explanation VI, s. Order I Rule 8, s. Section 11, s. Section 92
Constitution of Indias. 19, s. 25, s. 26
Registration Act, 1908s. 17
Specific Relief Act, 1963s. 35

Subjects

Church administrationReligious freedomRepresentative suitRes judicataConstitution of India Articles 25 and 261934 ConstitutionUdampadyAppointment of VicarEpiscopal churchSpiritual vs temporalMalankara ChurchPatriarch of AntiochCatholicosParish Church

Judgment

[2017) 9 S.C.R. 1

K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. A
v.
ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN ORTH. & ORS.
(Civil Appeal No. 3674 of2015)
JULY 03,2017 B

[ARUN MISHRA AND AMITAVA ROY, JJ.]
Constitution of India:
Arts.25 and 26 - Malankara church - Management of affairs
of Malankara church - Perpetual fight between Patriarch faction c
and Catho/icos faction - Historical background discussed in *Most
Rev. P.M.A. Metropolitan case popularly known as *1995 judgment
- Whether the 1995 Judgment is binding oil the appellants - Jn the
1995 judgment, the Supreme Court referring to the Year 1654 events,
observed that the authority of the Patriarch extended only to spiritual D
affairs but not to the temporal affairs of the Malankara Church -
The Court also observed that the Patriarch in the year 1972 could
not have exercised the power of appointment of getting ordaining
the priests and deacons through his delegate - The Court clearly
held that even if it is held that by Kalpana 's A-13 and A-14, the
Patriarch is not denuded of the powers delegated by him to the E
Catholicos, he could not have unilateral(v exercised those po-Wiers
which were delegated and he could have exercised those powers
thereafter in' consultation with the Catholicos and the Malankara
Sabha (Association) and of course in accordance with the 1934
Constitution - The Court also found that it was not open to the
Patriarch or his followers to contend that revival of Catholicate F
was not in accordance with the religious tenets and faith of the
Syrian Jacobite Christian Church; that the Constitution of 1934
was not duly and validly passed and that the revival of Catholicate
reduced the power of Patriarch to a vanishing point - The power
and authority of the Catholicos as per Kalpanas A-13 and A-14 G
were affirmed, re-enforced and enlarged in the 1934 Constitution -
The said findings and the declaration in the decree that was passed
in the 1995 judgment, in a representative suit, is binding - As per
the mandate of the Or.I r.8(6), CP(~ the finding that was recorded
in the earlier suit that was decided in 1958 as well as in 1995 is
H
·'
2 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R .
. !

A binding insofai" as the questions were decided in a representative
character - This Court has decided the issue in 1995 suit to the
extent that the parties were having the common interest as
contemplated in Or.I r.8 and left open issues with respect to temporal
matters in the absence of Parish Churches - The decree in the 1995
B judgment is completely in tune with the judgment - There is no
conflict between the judgment and the decree - Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 - Or.I r.8.
Arts.25 and 26. - Chur'ch - Parish church - Appointment of
Vicar - Whether Parishioners have a right to follow their own faith
under Art.25 and appointment of Vicar, priest and Deacons and
C manage affairs under Art.26 - When the Church is a Parish Church
and since time immemorial it is a Parish Church and is a part of
Malankara Church, it has to perpetually remain as such - Under
the garb of pursuing their faith of the Patriarch being superior,
they cannot create a parallel system of appointing a Vicar for
D performing spiritual/religious ceremonies conforming to that faith,
as an appointm~nt of Vicar is not a spiritual matter - It is a secular
matter - It is open to any Parishioner to have faith in the spiritual
superiority of the Patriarch - Church.
Arts.19, 25 and 26 - Right to freedom of religion -A right to
E freedom of professing one's faith and religion is enshrined in Art.25
of the Constitution which gives freedom offaith and worship, subject
to public order, morality and health and other provisions of Part Ill
of the Constitution - The freedom is guaranteed to 'persons' as
opposed to 'cititens' as in Art.19 - Therefore, each Parishioner
has a right to freedom of religion - The 1934 Constitution cannot
F be said to be in violation of Arts.25 and 26 of the Constitution of
India.
Church:
1934 Constitution - Power of Diocesan Metropolitan - Held:
G The Diocesan Metropolitan has the authority to appoint, remove or
transfer the Vicar and other priests - He has been given the authori~y
to appoint a Vicar for a wholesome purpose in the 1934 Constitution
as the Patriarch of Antioch abroad cannot exercise the deep and
pervasive control over the management of churches such as the ,
appointment of Vicar which is a secular matter and not a spiritual
H one.
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 3
ORTR& ORS.

1934 Constitution - Power ofthe Patriarch of Antioch or his A
delegate - Malankara Metropolitan enjoys all the temporal,
ecclesiastical and spiritual administration powers - Thus .,the power .
of the Patriarch of Antioch has reached a vanishing point and he
cannot exercise those powers which are lying with various authorities
under the Constitution as per the historical background noted in B
the 1995 judgment since time immemorial - Obviously, the Patriarch
of Antioch cannot manage the day to day affairs in India sitting
abroad - It is not contemplated nor he is supposed to do so in view
of his Kalpana s - The powers of appointment of Vicar and priests
etc. to the local Malankara church, have rightly been given to the
concerned authorities in the 1934 Constitution on the basis of C
prevalent practices - A religious denomination or organization
enjoys a complete autonomy in the matter of deciding as to rites
and ceremonies essential according to their tenets of religion they
hold and no outside authority has any jurisdiction to interfere with
their decisions in such matters - At the same time, secular matters D
can be controlled by the secular authorities in accordance with the
law laid down by the competent legislature - Spiritual power is also
with various authorities like Catholicos, Malankara Metropolitan
etc. - Thus it is too far fetched an argument that the Patriarch of
Antioch or his delegate should appoi1it a Vicar or Priest - The
spiritual power of Patriarch has been set up by the appellants clearly E
in order to violate the mandate of the 1995'judgment of this Court
which is binding on the Patriarch, Catho/icos and all concerned.
Art.25 - Spiritual power - The spiritual power cannot be the
. monopoly of any particular individual howsoever high he may be -
Appointment of Vicar and Priests is a secular matter and there can F
· be legislation also in this regard by sovereigns· and can be dealt
with by secular authorities also - There is rlo question of blessings
of Jesus Christ not flowing to a person who confesses before a
Vicar not appointed by the Patriarcll - The spiritual competence of
Vicar depends on his own attainments - The dispute appears to be
for fulfillment of desire to manage Church for the reasons which G
are not related to spiri1,,;a/ism.
1934 Constitution - It is a Dioc~san Metropolitan as per s.40
of the Constitution who has the power to appoint Vicar, priests etc.
and there is other hierarchy provided - Even Catholicos, Malankara
H
4 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Metropolitan has the spiritual powers - It is not that they have
temporal powers only - They have spiritual status too that has to be
respected equally - No office is either superior or inferior in the
matter of relationship between the two heads, the Catholicos a11d
the Patriarch - Both are independwt spiritual authorities - However.
the Patriarch occupies the higher post in the hierarchy i.e. he has,
B
an honour or precedence if he is present that is in a sense he is the
first among equals - "primus inter parties".
Properties of Parish church - Ownership rights - Held: The
Parish properties would always remain to be Malankara Church
properties - Only Office holders have to subscribe to the 1934
C Constitution - The Parishioners can take no church property away,
neither Catholicos faction by majority - Neither the Church nor the
cemetery can be confiscated by anybody - When the Church has
been created and is for the benefit of the 6eneficiaries, it is not
open for the beneficiaries, even by a majority. to usurp its property
D or management - The Malankara Church is in the form of a trust in
which, its properties have vested - As per the 1934 Constitution,
the Parisliioners though may individually leave the Church, they
are not per111itted to take the movable or immovable properties out
of the ambit of 1934 Constitution without the approval of the Church
hierarchy.
E
1934 Constitution - Power of the Patriarch of Antioch or his
delegate - Once office of the Catholicos has been re-established,
Patriarch could not exercise the powers which have been dealt with
in the 1934 Constitution, and conferred on various authorities in
hierarchy of church, that too unilaterally to create another centre
F of power and thereby the Patriarch cannot be per111itted to create
parallel system of admi11istration by appointing Vicars, Priests and
Deacon or another authority of Church - He is bound to act within
the four corners of the 1934 cqnstitution for the sake of peace in
the church - In the temporal matters, Patriarch has 110 power and
G the spiritual power had also come to the vanishing point by his own
acts as noticed by this Court in the 1995 and other judgments -
Submission to the contrary on behalf of the appellants that he can
exercise the powers after informing the Catholicos, cannot be
accepted - The Malankara Metropolitan has to be of local area -
Logically also for proper management of the affairs of Churches
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 5
ORTH. & ORS.

power cannot be exercised from abroad - Such a scenario is neither A
conceived nor feasible or permissible - The spiritual supremacy of
one holy authority over the other, also cannot per se mean exclusion
and subordination of the other religious authority - When there is
delegation a11d delimitation of the territorial and other powers,
concerned authorities however high they may be, spiritually or B
otherwise, have to follow the discipline a11d strictly act as per
delimitation of zones and powers :._ It is ab.~olutely necessary for
survival of the Church and for proper administration.
1934 Constitution - Unilateral exercise of power by the
Patriarch of Antioch or his delegate - Permissibility - Held: As per
the historical background and the practices which have been noted, C
the Patriarch is not to exercise the power to appoint Vicar, Priests,
Deacons, Prelates etc. - Such powers are reserved to other
authorities in the Church hierarchy -:- The Patriarch, thus, cannot
be permitted to exercise the power in violation of the 1934
Constitution to create a parallel system ofadministration of Churches D
as done in 2002 and onwards - This Court has held in 1995
judgment that the unilateral exercise of .mch power by the Patriarch
was illegal - The said decision has also been violated - It was only
in the altemative this Court held i11 the 1995judgment that even if
he has such power, he could not have exercised the same unilaterally.
E
1934 Constitution - The declaration given that the Parish
Churches are governed by the 1934 Constitution is just and proper
- Jn the instant case, the Patriarch faction is more to be blamed for
disorder in the churches than the Catholicos factio11 - They ought
to have followed 1995 judgment and other decisions - That they
have not done and have insisted upon their ow11 system of F
management that is not permissible.
Udampady - 1934 and 2002 Constitution - Enforceability
and binding nah1re of Udampady - Held: The submission that the
Udampady will prevail over 1934 Constitution cannot be accepted
in view of the provisions made in s.132 of the 1934 Constitution G
that all agreements wMch are not consistent with the provisions of
1934 Constitution are made ineffective and annulled and also in
view of the finding in the 1958 Samudayam matter that the
Constitution had been validly adopted and is applicable - The
question cannot be re-agitated and reopened under the guise of H
6 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A Udampady - Udampady cannot hold the field for administration of
such Parish Churches - Udampady is not a document by which the
Church came to be established - It is with respect to its management
only - Udampady cannot prevail over the Constitution that has been
adopted for all the Malankara Churches and is holding the field.
B Udampady - Registration of - 1934 Constitution - Would
registration of Udampady make it a superior document over 1~34
Constitution - Held: The registration of the Udampady cannot make
it superior than the Constitution and the latter will prevail.
1934 Constitution - Binding effect of - Held: If the effort of
c certain group of Patriarch otherwise is to form a new Constitution
2002 to appoint Vicars, Priests etc., giving a go by to the 1934
Constitution and to form a new Church under the guise of same
Malankara Church, it is not peri11issible - The Malankara Church,
its properties and other matters are to he governed by the 1934
Constitution and even majority of parishioners has no right to take
D away and usurp the church itself or to create new system of
management contrary to 1934 Constitution - As per the 1934
Constitution, it is clear that while individual Parishioners may choose
to leave the Church, there is 110 question of even a majority of the
Parishioners in the Parish Assembly by themselves being able to
E take the movable or immovable properties out of the ambit of the
1934 Constitution, without the approval of the Church hierarchy.
1934 Constitution - It is not open to the beneficiaries even
by majority to change the nature of the Church, its property and
management - The only method to change management is to amend
F the Constitution of 1934 in accordance with law - It is not open to
the Parish Churches to even frame bye-laws in violation of the
provisions of the 1934 Constitution
Malankara Church - Formation of new church by majority -
Permissibility - Held: Jn existing system of Malankara Church, a
G Parish Church that is a part of Malankara Church cannot be usurped
even by majority in Church under the guise of formation of new
Church - The Malankara Church is Episcopal to the extent it is so
declared in the 1934 Constitution as held in the 1995 judgment -
The 1934 Constitution governs the affairs of Parish Malankara
Churches and shall prevail - Otherwise also, property cannot be
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 7
ORTH. & ORS.

taken away by the majority or othenvise and it will remain. in Tn1st A
as it has been for the time immemorial for the sake of beneficiaries
- It is for the benefit of beneficiaries - No one can become owners .
by majority decision or permitted to usurp Church itself- It has to
remain in perpetual succession for the purpose it has been created
· a Malankara Church - Though it is open to the individual member B
to leave a Church in exercise of the right not to be q member of any
Association and as per Art.20 of the Universal Declaration of··
Human. Rights, the Parish Assembly of the Church by majority or
otherwise cannot decide to move church out of the Malaitkara ·
Church - Once a trust, is always a trust.
Mannathur Church - It was not necessary, after amendment.
c
of the plaint in Mannathur Church matte1; to adopt the procedure
once again of representative suit under Or.I r.8 CPC - It remained
a represe1itative suit and proper procedure was followed - It was
not necessary to obtain fresh leave.
2002 Constitution - Binding effect of - Held: .The Parish D
Assembly by majority cannot take away the property and divert it to
a,separate and different church that is not a Ma/ankara Church
administered as per the 1934 Constitution, though it is open to amend
the 1934 Co11stituti911 - The 2002 Constitution cannot hold the field
to govern the appellant churches and the 1934 Constitution is E
binding - As the 1934 Constitution is valid and .binding upon the
Parish Churches, it is not open to any individual Church, to decide
to have their new Constitution like that of 2002 in the so-called
exercise of right under Arts.25 and 26 of the Constitution of India
- It is also not permissible to create a parallel system of management
in the churches under the guise of spiritual supremacy of the F
Patriarch.
Udampady of 1913 - Effect of - Held: The Udampady of
1913 is not a document of creation of the Trust - The then in-charge
person executed it just for the management of the church - The
1934 Constitution after being adopted in 1959 by the Church is G
binding - The Udampady of 1913 has lost its efficacy and utility -'-
The Udampady stands annulled by s.132 of the Constitution - It
cannot be revived. '
1934 Constitution - Purport of - Effect of non-registration
of 1934 Constitution and effect of registered Udampady - Held: H
8 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A The I934 Constitution does not create, declare, assign, limit or
extinguish, whether in present or future, any right, title or interest,
whether vested or contingent, in the Malankara church prope1:ties
- It provides a system of administration as such and not required to
be registered, and moreover the question of effect of non-registration
of the I934 Constitution cannot be raised in view of the findings
8
recorded in the I959 and the I995 judgments - It is not open to
question the validity of the I934 Constitution on the ground that it
cannot be looked into for want of its registration - Udampady
itself is not a document of creation of Trust - It related to the
management only - Tims, by its registration no legal superior right
C is acquired to prevail over the Constitution - No registered document
was required for administration of the Church - Document of
creation of a Trust may require registration and not a document like
the I 934 Constitution.
Two factions - The plea that in face ofthe prevailing dissension
D between the two factions and the remote possibility of reconciliation,
the religious services may be permitted to be conducted by two Vicars
of each faith cannot be accepted as that would amount to patronizing
parallel systems of administration - Both the factions, for the sake
of the sacred religion they profess and to pre-empt further bickering
and unpleasantness precipitating avoidable institutional
E degeneration, ought to resolve their differences if any, on a common
platform if necessary by amending the Constitution further in
accordance with law, but by no means, any attempt to create parallel
systems of administration of the same Churches resulting in law
and order situatiom leading to even closure of the Churches can
F be accepted - Constitution of India - Arts.25, 26.
Code of Civil Procedure, I 908:
s. 92 - Framing of scheme under - Management of the Parish
Churches - Held: The 1934 Constitution is appropriate and
adequate for management of the Parish Churches - There is no
G necessity offraming any scheme under s.92 - Constitution of India
- Arts.25, 26.
Or. I r.8- Object of- Exception to general rule that all persons
interested in the suit are to be made parties thereto - The object of
Or.I r.8 is to provide an exception to the ordinary procedure in a
H case where common rights of community or members of such
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 9
ORTH. & ORS.

association or large section are involved - The rule entitles one A
party to represent many and the action is maintainable without
joinder of other parties - Or. 1 r.8 pre-supposes that there are
numerous persons having the same interest - One or more such
persons with permission of the court may sue or be sued or may
defend such suit on behalf of the persons so interested- It is provided B
in Or.I r.8(6) that the decree in a suit under this rule shall be binding
on all the persons on whose behalf or for whose benefit the suit is
instituted or defended, as the case may be - Suit - Representative
suit - Party.
Words and Phrases:
"spiritual" and "spirituality" - Meaning of - HeM· The
c
word 'spiritual' has been defined to mean in Black's Law Dictionary
as of or relating to ecclesiastical rather than secular matters -
Spiritualism is alien to temporalism - One whose desire is for
temporal gains, cannot be said to be on the spiritual path - They
are aliens to each other - One who is really spiritual is far away D
from the temporal desires - it can also be said that spirituality is a
form oJ)relig_ion but a private and personal form of religion -
Spirituality is more personal and private while religion tendY to
incorporate public rituals and organised doctrines.
Concept of denomination in religion - Connotation of - E
Discussed.
"congregationalism" and "episcopal" - Meaning of -
Discussed.
Dismissing the appeals, the Court
HELD: 1. IN RE: WHETHER THE 1995 JUDGMENT IS F
BINDING ON THE APPELLANTS? JF YES; TO WHAT
EXTENT?
1.1 The representative suit was decided in 1995 and the
judgment is binding even on those who were not parties to the
case. All the Parishioners are bound by the judgment to the extent G
it has decided the matter. There is no conflict in the decree as
well as the observations that have been made by this Court. The
majority opinion has left open the question that the property
whether it is held by the Parish Churches or vested in the
Catholicos and Para 155(8) deals with other rights and nature of H
10 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A the Church to be episcopal and with respect to the applicability
of the 1934 Constitution the judgment is final, conclusive and
binding in these cases. The decree is wholly in tune with the
judgment and the issues which were effectively decided by this
Court and what was left open is absolutely in no conflict with the
B findings recorded in the judgment and in the decree. The decree
is in accordance with the aforesaid dictum of this Court.
(Para 65)(101-H; 102-A-D]
*Most Rev. P.M.A. Metropolitan v. Moran Mar
Marthoma (1995) Supp. 4 SCC 286 : (1995) 1 Suppl.
SCR 542; Bhikhi Lal v. Triheni AIR 1965 SC 1935 -
c relied on.
1.2 In the 1995 judgment, this Court referring to the Year
1654 events, observed that the authority of the Patriarch
extended only to spiritual affairs but not to the temporal affairs of
the Malankara Church. There was the revival of Catholicate in
D 1912 by Patriarch Abdul Messiah, and that brought a qualitative
change in the situation. A-14, the Kalpana was issued which fact
was not disputed by the Patriarch group, and A-13 which was
preceded by A-14 empowered the Catholicos to ordain
Metropolitans and other officials of the Church in accordance ·
E with the canons of the Church and also to consecrate holy Moron.
The powers of consecrating holy Moron that vested in Patriarch,
came to be vested in the Catholicos by the Patriarch himself.
The third Catholicos was elected as the Malankara Metropolitan
and thus the powers of both i.e. the spiritual and temporal powers
were concentrated in one person. This Court also observed that
F the Patriarch in the year 1972 could not have exercised the power
of appointment of getting ordaining the priests and deacons
through his delegate as observed in Para No.134 of the 1995
judgment. This Court clearly held that even if it is held that by
Kalpana's A-13 and A-14 the Patriarch is not denuded of the
G powers delegated by him to the Catholicos, he could not have
unilaterally exercised those powers which were delegated and
he could have exercised those powers thereafter in consultation
with the Catholicos and the Malankara Sabha (Association) and
of course in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. This Court
also held that it was necessary for the reason (i) to avoid creating
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 11
ORTH. & ORS.

· parallel authorities leading to conflict and confusion and (ii) the A
·. acceptance by the local people. This Court also held that when
. the Patriarch had recognized the Catholicos, he did so with the
full knowledge. It was also held that Kalpana's A-19 and A-20
were not issued in an abrupt fashion. Under Kalpana Ex. A-20
the Catholicos accepted the Patriarch subjeet to the Constitution
8
passed by the Malankara Association. The members.of the
Patriarch group sw~re loyalty to the 1934 Constitution. The
Patriarch abandoned whatever objection he had by his acts and
declarations in the year 1964 when he came to India on invitation
from the Malankara Synod and consecrated and duly installed
the new Catholicos who was elected by the Malankara Association · C
in ac.cordance with the 1934 Constitution. Before that, the
Patriarch also took care to define the territorial jurisdictions of
the Patriarchate and the Catholicate. The Middle East that was
supposed to be under the jurisdiction of. the Catholicos was
excluded from his jurisdiction confining his authority to Imlia and
0
East alone. This defining of the territorial jurisdiction also
recognized the power of the Catholicos both in spiritual as well
as temporal matters. This Court had also found that it was not
open to the Patriarch. or his followers to contend that revival of
Catholicate was not in accordance with the religious tenets and
faith of the Syrian Jacobite Christian Church; that the Constitution E .
of 1934 was not duly and validly passed. This Court also found
that the revival of Catholicate reduced the power of Patriarch to
a vanishing point. The power and authority of the Catholicos as
per Kalpanas A-13 and A-14 were affirmed, re-enforced and
enlarged in the 1934 Constitution. This Court has clearly held
F
that the Patriarch could not have unilaterally appointed priests
etc. through his delegate. It is one thing to say that the Patriarch
could· do these things in cooperation with the Catholicos but the
ordaining of the priests and Metropolitans by him and his delegate
without reference to and over the protestations of the Catholicos,
was certainly not the right thing to do since it purported to create G
a parallel administrative mechanism for the church in spiritual/
temporal matters. The said findings and the declaration in the
said decree that was passed in the 1995 judgment, in a
representative suit, is binding. .[Paras 66-70][103-A-H; 104-A- ·
F)
H
12 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A R. Venugopala Naidu & Ors. v. Venkatarayulu Naidu
Charities & Ors. (1989) Suppl. 2 SCC 356 : (1989) 1
Suppl. SCR 760 - relied on.
1.3 Order l Rule 8 is an exception to the general rule that
all persons interested in the suit are to be made parties thereto.
B The object for which the provision is enacted is to provide an
exception to the ordinary procedure in a case where common
rights of community or members of such association or large
section are involved. It will be practically difficult to institute the
suit under the ordinary procedure by impleading every person in
which every individual has to maintain account by a separate suit
c and to avoid numerous suits being filed for a decision on the
common question. Order 1 Rule 8 had been enacted so as to
simplify the procedure. The rule entitles one party to represent
many and the action is maintainable without joinder of other
parties. Order I Rule 8 pre-supposes that there are numerous
o persons having the same interest. One or more such persons
with permission of the court may sue or be sued or may defend
such suit on behalf of the persons so interested. In such a case
notice has to be given as per Order I Rule 8(2) by way of public
. advertisement and then any person on whose behalf or whose
benefit the suit is instituted or defended has a right to apply to
E the court to be .made a party to such a suit. It is provided in
Order I Rule 8(6) that the decree in a suit under this rule shall
be binding on all the persons on whose behalf or for whose benefit
the suit is instituted or defended, as the case may be. As per the
mandate of the Order 1 Rule 8(6), the finding that was recorded
F in the earlier suit that was decided in 1958 as well as in 1995 is
binding insofar as the questions decided in a representative
character. This Court has decided the issue in 1995 suit to the
extent that the parties were having the common interest as
contemplated in Order I Rule 8 and left open issues with respect
to temporal matters in the absence of Parish Churches.
G Moreover, in the suit culminating into 1995 judgment the relief
was not sought inter parties, it was not in persmiam. The reliefs
that were sought were common to Malankara Church. Thus the
provisions of section 35 cannot come to the rescue of the
appellants so as to prevent the bar of res judicata. The
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 13
ORTH. & ORS.

Parishioners were parties in the previous suit decided in 1958 A
and 1995 and earlier thereto. The question cannot be reopened
again and again by them on the ground that they were not parties
individually, otherwise the representative suit and issues as well
as the right of suing in representative capacity, would lose entire
significance. [Paras 71-72)[105-E-H; 106-A-C, E, G]
B
Kumaravelu v. Ramaswami AIR 1933 PC 183; Deoki
Nandan v. Muralidhar (1956) SCR 756; Veruareddi
Ramaraghava Reddy v. Konduru Seshu Reddy (1966]
Suppl. SCR 270; Bishwanath v. Slzri Thakur
Radhabal/abhji (1967) 2 SCR 618 - relied on.
c
1.4 It was submitted that in case the declaration in the
1995 judgment that the 1934 Constitution is binding on the Parish
Churches even in their absence as parties, it would amount to
the violation of the principle of natural justice. The submission
cannot be made successfully as it ignores and overlooks the
mandate of Explanation 6 to section 11 and provision .of Order 1 o·
Rule 8(6) CPC. The previous suit was a representative suit and
the present appellants/churches are .deemed to be parties in the
representative suit as they could have applied for defending their
rights or to sue as the case may be in the previous suits which
had been decided by this Court. Thus there is no question of E
violation of the principle of natural justice in the case in band.
(Paras 74-75)[107-H; 108-A-C]
National Textile Workers v. PR. Ramkrishnan (1983) 1
SCC 228 : (1983] 1 SCR 922; Institute of Chartered
Accounta/lfs v. L.K. Ratna (1986) 4 SCC 537 : (1986] F
3 SCR 1048 - referred to.
John v. Rees (1969) 2 AER 274 - referred to.
1.5. It is not open to the Parishioners to contend that they
can have their independent Constitution and not bound by the
1934 Constitution. The 1995 judgment cannot be misconstrued G
so as to confer the aforesaid right upon the Parishioners. The
judgment is clear, unequivocal and unambiguous with respect to
binding nature of the 1934 Constitution. It would not be open to
any faction or group to adopt any particular system of management
of Churches and to have a parallel system of managing authorities H
14 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A under the guise of spiritual supremacy. The mismanagement of
Church and chaos cannot be permitted to be created for temporal
gains or otherwise. There is a system of management, and the
spiritual aspect which has been claimed under the guise of spiritual
supremacy in the instant case, is an effort to illegally take over
B the management of the Churches by rival factions in derogation
of delegation of powers. The power with respect to· Orthodox
Syrian Church of the East is the Primate ie. Catholicos. Though
the Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church is the Patriarch of
Antioch. Certain spiritual powers have also been vested in
Malankara Metropolitan, as per section 94 of the l 934
C Constitution. The prime jurisdiction regarding the temporal,
ecclesiastical and spiritual administration of the Malanka ra Church
is vested with the Malankara Metropolitan subject to provisions
of the Constitution and under the guise of spiritual supremacy an
effort is being made to obtain the appointments of Vicars and
Priests as parallel authorities so as to manage the churches and
0
to render religious services under the guise of Patriarch. On the
other hand, there are already Vicars and other authorities
appointed as per the 1934 Constitution. Thus under the garb of
spiritual supremacy which had reached a vanishing point due to
the establishment of Catholicos and Kalpana, and the 1934
E Constitution which has been accepted and is binding, a parallel
system of governance of churches would not be in the interest of
the church and would destroy it.(Para 76)(108-G-H; 109-C-HJ
Sita/ Das v. Sant Ram Das AIR 1954 SC 606; Shrinivas
Krishnarao Kango v. Narayan Devji Kango (1955) 1
F SCR 1; Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams v. K.M.
Krishnaiah (1998) 3 SCC 331 : (1998) 2 SCR 9 -
referred to.
2. IN RE: ABANDONMENT OF PLEAS/OBJECTIONS
AS TO THE REVIVAL OF THE CATHOLICATE, THE
G VALIDITY OF THE 1934 CONSTITUTION.
2.1 When the Church is a Parish Church and since time
immemorial it is a Parish Church and is a part of Malankara
Church, it has to perpetually remain as such. Under the garb of
pursuing their faith of the Patriarch being superior, they cannot.
H create a parallel system of appointing a Vicar for performing
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 15
ORTH. & ORS.

spiritual/religious ceremonies conforming to that faith, as an A
appointment of Vicar is not a spiritual matter. It is a secular matter.
(Para 78](110-G]
Sha Mulchand & Co. Ltd. v. Jawahar Mills (1954] SCR
351; S.H. Rangappa v. State of Karnataka & Ors.
(2002) 1 SCC 538 : [2001] 3 Suppl. SCR 545 - referred B
to.
2.2 A man who has a vested interest and in whom the legal
title lies does not, and cannot, lose that title by mere laches or by
saying that he has abandoned his right, unless there is something
more, namely inducement of another party by his words or conduct c
to believe the truth of that statement and so as to make him act
upon it to his detriment. Then such a person would be bound by
estoppel.- It is not abandonment or waiver, which prevents him
from asserting that the legal forms were not duly observed. In
the instant case, the discussion which has been made in the 1995
judgment is too elaborate and is based primarily on various D
historical facts and background which clearly indicate that the
Patriarch at no point of time had exercised temporal control and
it was considered necessary to establish the office of the
Catholicos so as to manage the Malankara Church which is a
division of the Orthodox Syrian Church. The Malankara Church E
was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle and is included in the
Orthodox Syrian Church of the East and the Primate of the Church
is the Catholicos. It is apparent from Kalpana '.s, establishment of
· the office of Catholicos and other historical fa'cts discussed in the
judgments referred to in the 1995 judgment that once having
created the office, it is not the plea of waiver or abandonment but F
the Kalpana issued by the Patriarch is binding upon him also.
Thus it is a positive act and once having done so, the Patriarch is _.
bound by it and cannot wriggle out of it and make the entire Parish
Church system topsy-turvy. The Parishioners can have faith in
the spiritual supremacy of the Patriarch but not in all the matters. G
They have to give equal importance in the matter of management
of the 1934 Constitution and cannot be permitted to commit
regular breach and device ways to circumvent the judgment of
.this Court by one way or the other and under the garb of spiritual . __ r ' _.,.

fight wrest the temporal control of the Churches. That the spiritual
H
16 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A power of the Patriarch has reached to a vanishing point, has to be
given the full meaning and it cannot mean that the powers can be
exercised under the umbrella of spirituality to interfere in the
administration of the Church and creating a parallel system of
appointing Vicars and Priests etc. which will paralyze the
functioning of the Churches for which they have been formed
8
and it would be against the very spirit of creation of trust from
time immemorial which inheres the concept that once a Trust
always a Trust. Once any Parishioner wants to change the 1934
Constitution, it is open to them to amend it as per the procedure.
It is right that it therefore is not a Bible or holy book of Quran or
C other holy books which cannot be amended. The 1934
Constitution has been amended in the form of bye-laws or
regulations applicable for governance of Parish churches a
number of times, and it can still be amended to take care of the
legitimate grievances, if any, but there appears to be none for
which the fight has been going on unabated in the instant cases.
0
[Para 79][112-G-H; 113-A-D, F-H; 114-B-C)
3. IN RE: PARISHIONERSHAVEARIGHTTO FOLLOW
THEIR OWN FAITH UNDER ARTICLE 25 AND
APPOINTMENT OF VICAR, PRIEST AND DEACONS ETC.
AND MANAGE AFFAIRS UNDER ARTICLE 26 OF THE
E CONSTITUTION OF INDIA:
3.1 It is apparent that the Syrian Orthodox Church of
Malankara accept and acknowledge the theory of apostate's
succession. The Church of Rome is Episcopalian in its
constitution, and acknowledges the Pope as Universal Bishop,
F to whom all the various orders of clergy, cardinals, primates, and
patriarchs, archbishops 11pfl bishops are subordinate. The
Armenian Church is similar in government. [Para 90)(121-C-D)
Ram Manohar Lohia v. State of Bihar [1966] 1 SCR
709; S.P. Mittal v. Union of India, AIR 1983 SC 1:
G f1983] 1 SCR 729 - referred to.
Halsbury's Laws of England, s•h Edn., vol. 34; "The
Encyclopedia of Religion", edited by Mircea Eliade, vol. 3,
"Church Polity"; 'The Encyclopedia of Religion' by

H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 17
ORTH. & ORS.

Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, Vol. 3; Black Law A
Dictionary - referred to.
3.2 A spiritual person is one who seeks to value and
connect himself to higher power or simply his higher self. The
word 'spiritual' has been defined to mean as of or relating to
ecclesiastical rather than secular matters. Spiritualism is alien B
to temporalism. One whose desire is for temporal gains, cannot
be said to be on the spiritual path. Same are aliens to each other.
One who is really spiritual is far away from the temporal desires.
Mere spiritual knowledge (gyan) is not enough. Religion is a
manifestation. of the flesh. But spirituality as defined by the God C
as manifestation of his nature. True spirituality is something which
is found deep within oneself. It can also be said that spirituality
is a form of religion but a private and personal form of religion.
Spirituality is more personal and private while religion tends to
incorporate public rituals and organised doctrines. A twilight zone.
Reiigion and spirituality are two distinct terms associated with D
· faith. Spirituality is more abstract than religion. Religion usually
promote a creed and define code of ethics. Spirituality exists in
the nebulous realm of the undefinable. Spirituality is a supernatural
form of transformation.[Paras 100-102][132-E-G; 133-A-C]
Bhuri Nath & Ors. v. State of J&K & Ors. (1997) 2 E
SCC 745 : (1997) 1 SCR 138 - relied on.
Pannalal Bansilal Patil & Ors. Etc. v. State of Andhra
Pradesh & ;tnr. AIR 1996 SC 1023 : (1996) 1 SCR
603; Commissioner of Police & Ors. v. Acharya
Jagadishwarananda Avadhuta & Am: (2004) 12 SCC p
770 : (2004) 2 SCR 1019; Sardar Syedna Taher
Saiffudin Saheb v. State of Bombay (1962) SCR Suppl.
496; N. Adithayan v. Travancore Devaswom Board &
Ors. (2002) 8 SCC 106 : (2002) 3 Suppl. SCR 76; A.S.
Narayana Deekshitulu v. State of A.P. & Ors. (1996) 9
SCC 548 : (1996) 3 SCR 543; Adi Saiva G
Sivachariyargal Na/a Sangam & Ors. v. Government
of Tamil Nadu & Anr. (2016) 2 SCC 725 : [20151 11
SCR 1110 - referred to.

H
18 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Black Law Dictionary; "Encyclopaedia of Religion and
Ethics" by James Hastings - referred to.
3.3 The Patriarch of Antioch has not exercised the power
earlier with respect to the appointment of priests etc. Be that as
it may. He has re-established the Throne of Catholicos in 1912
B under a Kalpana in which he has dedicated the power to the 1934
Constitution which has been accepted by the issuance of Kalpana
and by establishing Catholicos-111 in 1964 by consecrating
Malankara Metropolitan. It is apparent that the 1934 Constitution
has to hold the field and it is not the spiritual right within the
spiritual domain even if the Patriarch of Antioch is supreme to
C appoint Vicars/priests. The provisions in 1934 Constitution are
binding. Section 1 thereof provides that the Primate of the
Orthodox Syrian Church is the Patriarch of Antioch. However
section 2 takes care that the Malankara Church which is a division
of the Orthodox Syrian Church, was founded by St. Thomas the
D Apostle and is included in the Orthodox Syrian Church of the
East, and the "Primate" of the Orthodox Syrian Church of the
East is fhe "Catholicos". The appointment of Vicar is dealt with
in section 38 of the Constitution. There shall be a Vicar for every
Parish Church; other Priests, if any, shall be assistants of the
Vicar. The Vicar shall be the joint steward with the Kaisthani of
E the assets of the Parish. The Diocesan Metropolitan has the
authority to appoint, remove or transfer the Vicar and other
priests. It is apparent from section 40 that the Diocesan
Metropolitan has the authority to appoint, remove or transfer
the Vicar and other priests. Section 43 as amended in 2011 contains
F the provision that the Baptism Register, the Marriage Register,
the Burial Register, the Parish Assembly Register and Confession
Register shall be maintained by the Vicar and kept in his custody
and the Diocesan Metropolitan when on a visit to the church,
these shall be got signed by him. The Vicar shall also keep the
files of Kalpana's. [Paras 115-118)[151-C-F, H; 152-A, D-E)
G
3.4 The prime jurisdiction with respect to the temporal,
ecclesiastical and spiritual administration of the Malankara Church
is vested in the Malankara Metropolitan and other authorities.
It is intended for proper administration of the church and does
not run against the concept of the spiritual authority of the
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 19
ORTH. & ORS.

Patriarch of Antioch but at the same time, Malankara A
Metropolitan enjoys all the temporal, ecclesiastical and spiritual
administration powers. Thus the power of the Patriarch of Antioch
has reac.hed a vanishing point and he cannot exercise those powers
which are lying with various authorities under the Constitution
as per the historical background noted in the 1995 judgment since B
time immemorial. It passes comprehension how the Patriarch of
Antioch can manage the day to day affairs in India sitting abroad.
It is not contemplated nor he is supposed to do so in view of his
Kalpana's. The historical facts also indicate otherwise that he
had not been managing the churches and it is better that the
churches are left for the purpose of day to day administration. C
The powers of appointment of Vicar and priests etc. to the local
Malankara church, have rightly been given to the concerned
authorities in the 1934 Constitutio~ on the basis of prevalent
practices. A religious denomination or organization enjoys a
complete autonomy in the matter of deciding as to rites and D
ceremonies essential according to their tenets of religion they
hold and no outside authority has any jurisdiction to interfere
with their decisions iii· such matters: At the same time, secular
matters can be controlled by the secular authorities in accordance
with the law laid down by the competent legislature. Spiritual
power is also with various authorities like Catholicos, Malankara E
Metropolitan etc. Thus it is too far fetched an argument that the
Patriarch of Antioch or his delegate should appoint a Vicar or
Priest. There is no violation of any right of Articles 25 or 26 of
the Constitution of India. Neither any of the provisions relating
to appointment of the Vicar can be saioto be in violation of any of F
·the rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
The 1934 Constitution cannot be said to be in violation of Articles
25 and 26 of the Constitution of India. It was suggested that the
faith involved in the present case refers to apostolic succession
from Jesus Christ, viz., the blessings and grace of Christ descends
through an apostle i.e. St. Peter or St. Thomas as the case may 'G
be, and from the said apostle to the Pope/Patriarch who appoints
a Vicar. The argument ignores and overlooks other offices that
are in-between like Catholicos, Malankara Metrop91itan, and
.\ Diocesarl Metropolitan etc. It is not necessary. for the Pope and
the Patriarch to appoint Vicar because management of a Church
H
20 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A is not a religious ritual. [Paras 121-122](154-H; 155-A-H; 156-
A)
Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments v. Sri
Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt AIR
1954 SC 282 : [1954] SCR 1005 - relied on.
B 3.5 The spiritual powers vest in other functionaries also
and obviously spiritual power cannot be the monopoly of any
particular individual howsoever high he may be. Others are in
hierarchy viz. Diocesan Metropolitan has power to appoint Vicar,
Priests etc. as per Section 40. In the matter of ordination of
c Deacons and Priests by Diocesan Metropolitan or Malankara
Matropolitan, a candidate for ordination should have a degree
qualification. Power to appoint high Priests (Prelates) is by
Catholicos in co-operation with Synod. Bishop and Metropolitan
can be consecrated by the Catholicos in conjunction with Synod,
Bishop or Metropolitan has to be elected by the Association after
D approval by Synod to be consecrated by Catholicos. Person for
ordination has to study theology, and on being found fit can be
ordained. It is not that only blessing of a spiritual person makes
him qualified to perform duties of such posts. Appointment of
Vicar and Priests is a secular matter and there can be legislation
E also in this regard by sovereigns and can be dealt with by secular
authorities also. There is no question of blessings of Jesus Christ
not flowing to a person who confesses before a Vicar not appointed
by the Patriarch. The spiritual competence of Vicar depends on
his own attainments. The dispute appears to be for fulfillment of
desire to manage Church for the reasons which are not related
F to spiritualism. [Para 123)(156-B-E)

American Express Bank Ltd. v. Calcutta Steel Co.
(1993) 2 SCC 199 : [1992] 3 Suppl. SCR 833 - held
inapplicable.
G Halsbury's Laws of England, vol. 14, para 562-referred
to.
3.6 The contention that the Parishioners own the property
of the Parish Church and the Cemetery and they cannot be
deprived of that right by reason of the office holders of the Parish
H Churches by not subscribing to the 1934 Constitution is not at
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 21
ORTH. & ORS.

all plausible. The properties would always remain to be Malankara A
Church properties. Only Office holders have to subscribe to the
1934 Constitution as held by this Court. The Parishioners can
take no church property away, neither Catholicos faction by
majority and the submission is based on the misconception as to
the nature of rights in such property. It has to remain in Malankara B
Church. Neither the Church nor the cemetery can be confiscated
by anybody. It has to remain with Parishioners as per the
customary rights and nobody can be deprived of right one enjoys
being a Parishioner in the church or to be buried honourably in
the cemetery, in case he continues to have faith in Malankara
Church. It passes comprehension as to how irreconcilable C
differences in faith have been sought to be created in flimsy
manner to and divide Church into the Patriarch and Catholicos
factions whereas they are part of the Malankara Church, whereas
the dominant faith is the common, Malankara church is one, and
Orthodox Syrian Church is the same. Only intention differs. D
Hence, law and order situation has arisen which cannot be
scenario for spiritual attainments with embodiment of tolerance
and equality of all human beings and living creatures. The depth
in sight beyond the sensual eye sight is required for spiritual
gains. For the reasons best known to the parties, fight is going
on regarding the management which is wholly uncalled for. If E
church has to survive, obviously this must stop and let the
blessings of the Christ fall upon the believers, actual followers of
his teaching. This is the only way peace will come to the Church.
For the unrest and ugly situation no reason, good, bad or otherwise
exist which can be legally recognized. [Paras 126-127)(159-C-H;
F
160-A]
3.7 There is no force in the submission that if services and
ceremonies conducted by only those Vicars and priests who are
appointed in accordance with the 1934 Constitution, would be
violative of the basic object of the Parish Church. Diocesan
Metropolitan appoints Vicar unde1· the 1934 Constitution. It does G
not impinge upon the object of the Parish churches. The
Catholicos or the Patriarch, as the case may be, are not supposed
to deal with such matters which are reserved for Diocesan
Metropolitan. This is the position prevailing since long. Vicars
H
22 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A or Priests can also be appointed by secular authorities of
sovereign. The appointment made by Diocesan Metropolitan
cannot be said to be suffering from any illegality or affecting the
spiritual rights of the Parishioners. Deacons and Priest for
ordination are required to undergo successfully, theological
studies and principle has to certify as to their fitness. For
B
ordination as Korooyo (Reader) successfully clearing of 3 years
study is required. How Patriarch from abroad can exercise such
powers is beyond comprehension and that would amount to
unnecessary interference which is not supported by any Kalpana
or historical document. The 1934 Constitution provides
C appointment of Vicar by Diocese in the area of its operation. In
tire absence of anything having been provided in Udampady, the
1934 Constitution would hold the field. [Paras 128-129][160-B-
F]
3.8 Faith is tried to be unnecessarily divided vis a vis the
D office of Catholicos and the Patriarch. Faith of church is in the
Jesus Christ. An effort is being made to take over the
management and other powers by such an action just to gain
control of temporal matters under the garb of spirituality. Even if
Vicar performs the functions, which are religious, there would
not be infrlngement of the rights under Article 25 and 26 of
E Constitution of India in case the Diocesan Metropolitan appoints
Vicar as provided in the Constitution and it is clear the Patriarch
of Antioch has not reserved this power to himself. The 1995
judgment settled such disputes, between the parties. The
Diocesan Metropolitan as per the Constitution of 1934 appoints
F vicar. The submission that Vicar of a Catholicos group cannot be
thrust on a worshipper of Patriarch faith against his will, is totally
unsound and is simply a ploy to take over the control of the
management of the Church by putting faith in a Vicar who is
running a parallel governance at the cost of Church by creating
factionalism within the Churches. It is settled proposition of law
G that when a mode is prescribed for doing a thing, it can be clone
only in that manner and not otherwise. This Court in 1995
Judgment made it clear that the Patriarch has no such authority,
he could not exercise any such spiritual power unilaterally as
done in 1972 which became the cause of unrest in Church. The
H appointment"ofVicar, Priest by the Patriarch or through delegate
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 23
ORTH. & ORS.

unilaterally was held to be not permissible in the decision of 1995 A
even if he has such powers. He has no such power to interfere in
the management of the church and now that question is agitated
again and under the same guise of supremacy such an uncalled
for attempt has to be thwarted and not to be countenanced for a
moment. There is no violation of constitutional provisions or B
authority of Patriarch. Thus there is no question of violation of
Parishnors rights. [Para 130][160-G-H; 161"A-E)
Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation (1985) 3
SCC 545 : f 1985) 2 Suppl. SCR 51; Basheshar Nath
. v. I. T. Commissioner AIR 1959 SC 149: [1959) Suppl.
SCR 528; Nar Singh ·Paul v. Union of India 2000 (3) c
sec 588 : [2000) 2 SCR 752; L & T McNeil Ltd. v.
Govt. of T. N. (2001) 3 SCC 170 : [2001) 1 SCR 701;
State of Gujarat & Am: v. .Justice R A. Mehta (Retired)
& Ors. (2013) 3 SCC 1 : [2013) 1 SCR 1; Samsher
Singh v. State of Punjab & Anr. (1974) 2 SCC 831: D
[1975) 1 SCR 814 - referred to.
4. IN RE: REPUDIATION OF THE SPIRITUAL
SUPREMACY OF THE PATRIARCH BY THE CATHOLICOS :
Once offic.e of the Catholicos has been re-established,
Patriarch could not exercise the powers which have been dealt E
with in the 1934 Constitution, and conferred on various
authorities in hierarchy of church, that too unilaterally to create
another centre of power and thereby the Patriarch cannot be
permitted to create parallel system of administration by appointing
Vicars, Priests and Deacon or another authority ofChurch. He is F
bound to act within the four corners of the 1934 constitution for
the sake of peace in the church. In the temporal matters, Patriarch
has no power and ttie spiritual power had also come to the
vanishing point by his own acts as noticed by this Court in the
1995 and other judgments. Submission to the contrary on behalf
of the appellants that he can exercise the powers after informing G
the Catholicos, cannot be accepted. The Malankara Metropolitan
has to be of local area. Logically also for proper management of
the affairs of Churches power cannot be exercised from abroad.
Such a scenario is neither conceived nor feasible or permissible.
The spiritual supremacy of one holy authority over the other, H
24 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A also cannot per se mean exclusion and subordination of the other
religious authority. When there is delegation and delimitation of
the territorial and other powers, concerned authorities however
high they may be, spiritually or otherwise, have to follow the
discipline and strictly act as per delimitation of zones and powers.
It is absolutely necessary for survival of the Church and for proper
8
administration. (Para 140)(170-F-H; 171-A-C]
5. IN RE : THE 1934 CONSTITUTION IS JN THE
NATURE OF A CONTRACT, ENFORCEABLE AT PRESENT:
The High Court has rightly granted the declaration sought
c for in the facts and circumstances of the case, projected in the
case. The declaration given that the Parish Churches are
governed by the 1934 Constitution is just and proper. In the
instant the Patriarch faction is more to be blamed for disorder in
the churches than the Catholicos faction. They ought to have
followed 1995 judgment and other decisions. That they have not
D done and have insisted upon their own system of management
that is not permissible. [Paras 142, 143)(173-G; 174-A-B)
Mohammadia Cooperative Building Society Ltd. v.
Lakshmi Srinivasan Cooperative Building Society Ltd.
(2008) 7 SCC 310 : [2008) 7 SCR 762 - referred to
E
6. IN RE: UDAMPADY - ENFORCEABILITY, OF
BINDING NATURE AND 2002 CONSTITUTION:
6.1 The 1934 Constitution is applicable to the Parish
Churches under the Malankara Church. The submission that
F the Udampady will prevail cannot be accepted in view of the
provisions made in section 132 of the 1934 Constitution to the
effect that all agreements which are not consistent with the
provisions of this Constitution are made ineffective and annulled
and also in view of the finding in the 1958 Samudayam matter
that the Constitution had been validly adopted and is applicable.
G The question cannot be rt'-agitated and reopened under the guise
ofUdampady. Udampady cannot hold the field for administration
of such Parish Churches. Udampady is not a document by which
the Church came to be established. It is with respect to its
management only. The registration of the Udampady cannot
H make it superior than the Constitution and the latter will prevail
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 25
ORTH. & ORS.

as found by this Court in earlier decisions. The finding is binding, A
conclusive and has to be respected. Even otherwise, Udampady
cannot hold the field. No one can deny the right under Article 20
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. No one may be
compelled to belong to an association. There is no compulsion
with any of the Parishioners to be part of the Malankara Church
or Parish Church. There can be an exercise of unfettered volition B
not to be a part of an Association but the question in the case is
whether one can form another Association within the same
Association and to run a parallel system of management of the
same very church which is not permissible. Leaving a Church is
not the right denied but the question is whether the existing C
Malankara Church can be regulated otherwise than by the .1934
Constitution. If the effort of certain group of Patriarch otherwise
is to form a new Constitution 2002 to appoint Vicars, Priests etc.,
giving a go by to the 1934 Constitution and to form a new Church
under the guise of same Malankara Church, it is not permissible.
D
The Malankara Church its properties and other matters are to
be governed by the 1934 Constitution and even majority of
parishioners has no right to take away and usurp the church
itself or to create new system of management contrary to 1934
Constitution. It was a trust created as Malankara church that is
supreme, for once a trust always a trust. [Paras 144, 146](174-E- E
F; 175-G-H; 176-A-C] -
Bijoe Emmanuel & Ors. v. State of Kera/a & Ors.
(1986) 3 SCC 615 : [1986) 3 SCR 518; Smt. Damyanti
Naranga v. The Union of India & Ors. (1971) 1 SCC
678 : (1971] 3 SCR 840; O.K. Ghosh v. E.X Joseph F
[1963] Suppl. 1 SCR 789; Suryapalsingh v. U.P.
Government AIR 1951 All 674; Sitharamachary v. Sr.
Dy. Inspector of Schools AIR 1958 AP 78 - referred
to.
Cheall v. APEX (1983) 1 All ER 1130 - referred to. G
6.2 Various provisions of the Constitution make it clear
that there is a hierarchy of control and Parish Church properties
cannot be dealt with otherwise, the provisions contained in section
23 as to the written consent of the Diocesan Metropolitan and
H
26 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A the detailed system of management, appointment of Vicar and
the Kaisthani, Parish Assembly, as also the power to spend certain
amounts as provided in section 22 of the Constitution. The
accounts are supervised and to be signed by the Diocesan
Metropolitan. Similarly the acquisition of any immovable property
for the Diocese can be with the written consent of the Malankara
B
Metropolitan. It is apparent from the aforesaid provisions that
there is a hierarchy of control that is provided with respect to the
Church properties also. The community trustees are also
provided for the Vattipanam that is Trust Fund. Section 94
provides for the temporal, ecclesiastical and spiritual control of
c the Malankara Metropolitan. Catholicos can also hold the office
of Malankara Metropolitan. The Episcopal Synod has the power
to consecrate Cathlicos. Whatever autonomy is there, is provided
in the Constitution for the Churches for necessary expenditure
as provided in section 22, otherwise it is Episcopal nature of the
D Church and once the property vests in Malankara Church, it
remains vested in it and cannot be taken away and in case there
is any dispute with respect to-faith etc. as is raised in the present
case, it has to be decided by the Episcopal Synod and in case any
bye-law is to be changed, its remedy is available under the
provisions of sections 126, 127 and 129. Faction of Parish cannot
E decide against Constitution. Byelaws must conform to
Constitution. The income has to be distributed as per sections
120 to 123. [Para 163)(186-A-E]
6.3 The submission raised that by majority, decision can
be taken to opt out of the 1934 Constitution by the Parish
F Assembly and to form a new church under a new name, as has
been done in 2002. Constitution prohibits such a course. Even
bye-laws that do not conform to Constitution cannot be framed
and that has to be placed before Rule Committee under sections
126, 127 and 129. In existing system of. Malankara Church, a
Parish Church that is a part of Malankara Church cannot be
G usurped even by majority in Church under the guise of formation
of new Church. The majority view in the 1995 judgment refused
to give declaration with respect to property in the absence of
Parish churches. However, it was observed that the 1934
Constitution shall govern and regulate the affairs of the Parish
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 27
ORTH. & ORS.

Churches insofar as the Constitution provides for the same. The A
1934 Constitution shall govern the affairs of the Parish Churches
in respect of temporal matters also insofar as it so provides. The
Malankara Church is Episcopal to the extent it is so declared in
the 1934 Constitution as held in the 1995 judgment. The 1934
Constitution governs the affairs of Parish Malankara Churches B
and shall prevail. No one can become owners by majority decision
or permitted to usurp Church itself. It has to remain in perpetual
succession for the purpose it has been created a Malankara
Church. [Paras 164-166)(186-G-H; 187-A-D]
Craigdallie v. Aikma 3 ER 561; Attorney General v.
Pearson (1817) 3 Mer 353; General Assembly of the c
Free Church of Scotland v Overtoun (1904) AC 515;
Shergill v. Khaira (2014) 3 All ER 243 - referred to.
6.4 The Parish Assembly by majority cannot take away the
property and divert it to a separate and different church that is
not a Malankara Church administered as per the 1934 D
Constitution, though it is open to amend the Constitution of 1934.
As the basic documents of creation of church have not been placed
on record, usage and custom for determining the competing
claims of rival factions becomes relevant. Thus, the 2002
Constitution cannot hold the field to govern the appellant churches E
and the 1934 Constitution is binding. Finding recorded by the
High Court that tbe Kolencherry Church was not administered
by the 1913 Udampady and was administered in accordance with .
the 1934 Constitution is correct at least after the Constitution
was adopted. General body meeting of 8.3.1959 bas adopted the
1934 Constitution. Udampady cannot hold the field by virtue of F
section 132 of the Constitution and there is other oral evidence
that had been assessed by the High Court including the "
documentary evidence and the Udampady cannot be taken to
govern. Moreover in view of the findings in the 1958. Samudayam
suit and the 1995 judgment, the Constitution of 1934 is binding G
which has been held to be valid and Malankara Church has to be
administered as per the provisions contained therein. Thus
Udampady of 1913 cannot be set up or used as ploy to avoid the
provisions of 1934 C!>nstitution. Thus the main plank of
submissions is also barred by the principle of res judicata. [Paras
H
28 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017} 9 S.C.R.

A 169, 171)(188-E; 189-D-F]
Hill in the book "Law of Trusts and Trustees" - referred to.
6.5 The church was created way back in the 7th century.
The Udampady of 1913 is not a document of creation of the Trust.
The then in-charge person executed it just for the management
B of the church in question. The 1934 Constitution after being
adopted in 1959 by the Church is binding. The Udampady of 1913
has lost its efficacy and utility. The Udampady stands annulled by
Section 132 of the Constitution. It cannot be revived. Thus it is
not open to the church or parishioners by majority to wriggle out
c of 1934 Constitution. In view of the findings recorded in the
Samudayam suit also by the 1995 judgment, the question operates,
as res judicata and the administration on the basis of Udampady
cannot be claimed. The inconsistent provisions in the Udampady
shall stand annulled as per section 132 of the 1934 Constitution.
[Para 173)(196-C-E)
D
6.6 There are inconsistencies between the 1934
Constitution and 1913 Udampady as such the latter cannot prevail.
In terms of Section 132, any Udampady (agreement) which is
inconsistent with the provisions of 1932 constitution stands
annulled and is ineffective. In view of the inconsistencies, as
E well as in light of the findings of the Supreme Court in 1959
judgment and the 1995 judgment regarding the validity and the
binding character of the 1934 constitution, the 1913 Udampady
would, in any event, no longer survive and Parish Church would
be governed in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. [Paras
p 174, 175)(196-F; 199-E]
7. IN RE: EFFECT OF NON REGISTRATION OF 1934
CONSTITUTION AND EFFECT OF REGISTERED
UDAMPADY
The Udampadies were for administration of the Church at
G the relevant time and lost their efficacy due to efflux of time and
cannot hold the field in view of the system of administration
provided in the 1934 Constitution. The 1934 Constitution was
not required to be registered document as the Udampadies are
not documents of creation of Trusts, the Udampadies were not
H required to be registered. Udampady cannot prevail over the 1934
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 29
ORTH. & ORS.

Constitution. The 1934 Constitution does not create, declare, A
assign, limit or extinguish, whether in present or future, any right,
title or interest, whether vested or contingent, in the Malankara
church properties. It provides a system of administration as such
and not required to be registered, and moreover the question of
effect of non-registration of the 1934 Constitution cannot be raised B
in view of the findings recorded in the 1959 and the 1995
judgments. The question could, and ought to have been raised
but was not raised at the time of authoritative pronouncement
made by this Court. Otherwise also, facts have not been pleaded
nor any provision of the constitution pointed out that may attract
the provisions of section 17(1)(b) of the Registration Act. Thus, C
it is ,not open to question the validity of the 1934 Constitution on
the ground that it cannot be looked into for want of its registration.
Udampady itself is not a document of creation of Trust. It related
to the management only. Thus, by its registration no legal superior
right is acquired to prevail over the Constitution. No registered D
document was required for administration of the Church.
Document of creation of a Trust may require registration and not
a document like the 1934 Constitution. [Paras 177, 178)(199-H;
200-A-G]
Vinodkumar M Malavia v. Magan/al Mangaldas Gameti
& Ors. (2013) 15 sec 394 : (2013) 14 SCR 396; E
Chandrakant Shankarrao Machale v. Parubai Bhairu
Mohite (2008) 6 sec 745 : [2008) 4 SCR 1003;
S. Saktivel (Dead) by LRs. v. M Venugopal Pillai &
Ors. (2000) 7 SCC 104 : [2000) 2 Suppl. SCR 361 -
held inapplicable. F
ITC Ltd. v. State of U.P. (2011) 7 sec 493 : [2011) 7
SCR 66 - distinguished.
Kashinath Bhaskar Datar v. Bhaskar Vishweshwar
(1952) SCR 491 - referred to.
G
8. MAINTAINABILITY OF MANNATHUR CHURCH
SUIT:
The Mannathur Church matter suit was clearly
representative in character and was contested in that manner.
[Para 180)(205-D]
H
30 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A 9. FRAMING OF SCHEME UNDER SECTION 92 OF
THE CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
There is no necessity of framing any scheme under section
92. (Para 182)(206-C)
Mohd. hmile Ari.ff v. Ahmed Moo/la Dowood 43 IA 127
B (PC); Ram Dularey v. Ram Lal AIR 1946 PC 34 -
referred to.
IO.WHETHER IN THE FACTS, INTERIM
ARRANGEMENT TO CONTINUE :
c It was submitted that as reconciliation does not appear to
be possible between both factions, as such the religious services
in the St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Varikoli may be permitted to
be conducted by two Vicars of each faith, Patriarch and Catholicos,
in accordance with the faith of each denomination. The submission
cannot be accepted as it would tantamount to patronizing parallel
D system of administration and would not be a legally permissible
mode hence prayer is rejected. (Para 183][206-E-F]
Moran Mar Basselios Catholicos v. Thukalan Paulo
Avira & Ors., AIR 1959 SC 31; Most Rev. P.MA.
Metropolitan & Ors. v. Moran Mar Marthoma Mathews
E & Anr. (1996) 8 sec 470 : (1996) 3 SCR 857;
Manakchand v. Manoharlal AIR 1994 PC 46;
Razia Begum v. Sahebzadi Anwar Begum (1959] SCR
1111; Moran Mar Basselios Catholicos & Anr. v. Most.
Rev. Mar Poulose Athanasius & Ors. AIR 1954 SC 526
F : [1955) SCR 520; Mathan Ma/pan v. Oolahannan
Geevarghese 45 TLR 116; Chhatra Kumari Devi v.
Mohan Bikram Shah & Ors. AIR 1931 PC 196 -
referred to.
Case Law Reference
G
(1995) 1 Suppl. SCR 542 relied on Para4
AIR 1959 -sc 31 referred to Para 18
[1996) 3 SCR 857 referred to Para34
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 31
ORTH. & ORS.

AIR 1965 SC 1935 relied on Para 65 A
AIR 1994 PC 46 referred to Para 52
[1959] SCR 1111 · referred to Para 52
(1956] SCR 756 relied on Para 52
[1966] Suppl. SCR 270 relied on Para 52 B
[1967] 2 SCR 618 relied on Para 52
[1983] 1 SCR 922 referred to Para 52
[1986] 3 S<;:R 1048 referred to Para 52
AIR 1954 SC 606 referred to Para 52
c
(1955] 1 SCR 1 referred to Para 52
(1998] 2 SCR 9 referred to Para 52
(1954] SCR 351 referred to Para 52
D
[2001] 3 Suppl. SCR 545 referred to Para 52
(1966] 1 SCR 709 referred to Para 52
(1954] SCR 1005 relied on Para 122 ·
(1955) SCR 520 referred to Para 53
E
45 TLR 116 referred to Para 53
--
AIR 1931 PC 196 referred to Para 59
AIR 1965 SC 1935 referred to Para 65 -
[1989) 1 Suppl. SCR 760 relied on Para 70 F
AIR 1933 PC 183 relied on Para 71
[1954) SCR 351 referred to Para 78,
(1985) 2 Suppl. SCR 51 . referred to Para 86
[1983) 1 SCR 729 referred to Para 99 G
(1997) 1 SCR 138 referred to Para 106
. (1996) 3 SCR 543 referred to Para 106
(1996) 1 SCR 603 referred to Para 107
H
- --- ·---·~- ..... ··-~. --·- - . - --- -..- - ·-- - - ---------·---- -- -

32 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (2004) 2 SCR 1019 referred to Para 111
(1962) SCR Suppl. 496 referred to Para 112
(2002) 3 Suppl. SCR 76 referred to Para 113
(2015) 11 SCR 1110 referred to Para 114
B
[1954) SCR 1005 referred to Para 122
(1992) 3 Suppl. SCR 833 held inapplicable Para 125
[1959] Suppl. SCR 528 referred to Para 130

c [2000) 2 SCR 752 referred to Para 130
(1975) 1 SCR 814 referred to Para 133
[2001) 1 SCR 701 referred to Para 133
(2013) 1 SCR 1 referred to Para 133
D (2008) 7 SCR 762 referred to Para 143
(1986) 3 SCR 518 referred to Para 145
(1971) 3 SCR 840 referred to Para 145
(1963) Suppl. 1 SCR 789 referred to Para 145
E
AIR 1951 All 674 referred to Para 145
AIR 1958 AP 78
-
referred to Para 145
(1952) SCR 491 referred to r · Para 178

F (2008) 4 SCR 1003 referred to Para 178
[2000) 2 Suppl. SCR 361 referred to Para 178
[2011] 7 SCR 66 referred to Para 178
(2013) 14 SCR 396 referred to Para 179
G AIR 1946 PC 34 referred to Para 181
.
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Civil Appeal No. 3674
of20!5.

H. ....
. .
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 33
ORTH. & ORS.

From the Judgment and Order dated 04.10.2013 of the High Court A
ofKerala at Ernakulam, in RFA No. 589 of2011
- WITH
. C. A. Nos. 3681, 3682, 3683, 8790 and 8789 of2015.
C. A. Nos. 5408, 5409, 5411 and 5410 of2017. B
C. A. Sundaram, K. V. Vishw.anathan, ShyamDiwan, C. U. Singh,
K. Parasaran, Mohan Parasaran, K. K. Venugopal, S. Sreekumar,
Krishnan Venugopal, Sr. Advs., S. Udaya Kumar Sagar, Ms. Bina
Madhavan, Ms. Swati Bhardwaj, Ms. Ramandeep Kaur (For Mis.
Lawyer's Knit & Co.), E.M.S. Anam, P. J. Philip, P. K. Manohar, Radha C
Shyam Jena, Ms. Maneesha Dhir, Abhishek Kumar, Ashwin Rakesh,
Ritcsh Kumar, A. Raghunath, Vishnu Sharma, Ms. Anupama Sharma,
Ms. Sonali Negi, Rohit Memman Alex, P. S. Sudheer, Rishi Maheshwari,
Ms. Anne Mathew, Ms. Shruti Jose, V. K. Biju, Roy Isaak, Abhay Pratap
Singh, N. Livingstone, N. P.R. Panickker, K. J. Kuriakose, P.V. Elias, S.
Varghese, Ms. Yogmaya M. G., Rajhans Rajeev Pandey, R. lssac,Ashwin D
Kumar D. S., Ms. Aditi Dani, V. E. Gayathri, Kuriakose Varghese,
V. Shyamohan, Ms. Saumya Sharma, Ms. Tani ya Pandey, Surya Prakash,
A. Phukan, Ankur Talwar, Mathew P. Paul, Sanjay Jain, Advs. for the
appearing parties.
The Judgment of the Comt was delivered by E
ARUN MISHRA, J. I. The appeals relating to Kolcncherry
Church have been filed against judgment and decree passed by the High
Co mi of Kera la on 4.10.2013 in Regular First Appeal and against order
passed in Review application arising out of Suit No.43 of2006 and Suit
No.47 of2006 by the District Judge on 11.4.2014. The Patriarch faction F
filed suit No.43 of2006 to declare that the defendant No.I (D-1) Church,
its assets, including the educational institutions are liable to be administered
only in accordance with Udampady executed on 30.12.2013. Prayer
was also made to settle a scheme for administration of the church and
its assets, to appoint a Receiver, conduct elections after pr.eparing proper G
voters list irrcspecti ve of their factional affiliations and to entrust
management to them. Permanent injunction be issued against 3'<l defondant
restraining him from receiving the key of the church.
2. With respect to Varikoli Church the appeals have been prefe1TCd
as against judgment and decree dated 21.8.2015 passed in Regular First H
34 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20 t 7] 9 S.C.R.

A Appeal by the High Court of Kerala arising out ofO.S. No. 10 of2003.
O.S. No.10 of 2003 had been filed by the Catholics group in which
prayer had been made to declare that the church is governnf /;ly tfw
1934 Constitution as upheld by the Supreme Court and defendantNos?_
and 3 have no rightto claim the status of trustees of the church. Permanent
prohibitory injunction to restraint defendant Nos2 and 3 from functioning
B
as trustees of the church had been prayed in addition to mandatory
injunction directing defendant No. 4 to call for immediate pothuyogam
ofD-1 church and to hold election ofnew Managing Committee including
Trustees and Secretary in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. Counter
claim was also raised by impleaded defendant Nos.13 to 15 to cause a
c referendum to ascertain the allegiance of the Parishioners of the church;
to declare that the church and its assets are to be governed in accordance
with the faith and will professed by majority of the Parishioners of the
church; to pass a final decree declaring that church and its assets be
administered in accordance with the decision of majority of the
Parishioners: and permanent injunction restraining the third defendant.
D
agents and religious dignitaries and those who are not accepting spiritual
supremacy of Patriarch of Antioch and all the East.
3. With respect to Mannathur Church the appeals have been
preferred against judgment and decree dated 20.5.2015 passed by the
High Court of Kerala in R.F.A. No.320 of 2014 arising out of O.S.
E No.41 of2003 filed by the Catholicos faction to declare that the church
is administered by 1934 Constitution. Further declaration that defendant
Nos.3 to 5 had no right or authority to act as its trustees, permanent
prohibitory injunction against them for functioning as trustees, direction
be issued to defendant No.2 to call general body for holding elections.
F Injunction had also been prayed against changing name of the church.
4. It appears that there is perpetual fight for managing the affairs
ofMalankara Church between the Patriarch faction and the Catholicos
faction for control of spiritual and temporal management of affairs of
the Parish Church. Malankara Church is division of the Orthodox Syrian
G Church. Before coming to dispute it is necessary to consider historical
matrix. The Malankara church was founded by St. Thomas, theApostl~
and is included in the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East. The prophet
of the Syrian Church is the Patriarch of Antioch whereas the Primate of
the Syrian Church of the East is the Cathol icos. The Malankara Church
was earlier known as the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Its
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 35
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

misnomer was the Jacobite church. The approved Canon of the Church A
is the Hudaya Canon written by Bar Hebtaeus printed in Paris in the
year 1 R98. In 52 A.D. St. Thomas came to Malabar to spread his
on~s~age. Between 325 and 628 AD at the first General Meeting held at
Nicea in 325 AD, four Parishioners were established at Rome,
Constantinople, Alexandaria and Antioch, each headed by .a Patriarch.
Within the jurisdiction of Patriarch of An~ioch, another office was B
established viz., the great Metropolitan of the East also known as
'Catholicos'. The office ofCatholicate fell into disuse and was revived
in 628 AD. The historical background is noted by this Court in its judgment
in Most Rev. P.MA. Metropolitan v. Moran Mar Marthoma ( 1995)
Supp. 4 SCC 286 (hereinafter referred to as "the 1995 judgment"). C
5. In l 6'h century Christianity gained a substantial foothold in the
area now comprised in Kerala. The dominant faith was of the Syrian
Orthodox Church. With the rise of the Portuguese politicalpower on the
West Coast, the Portuguese (Roman Catholics) compelled local Christians
to accept Roman Catholic faith. Christians of Malabar affirmed their D
loyalty to the Syrian Orthodox Christian Church headed by the Patriarch
by taking an oath en masse at Mattancherry,
known as the "Koonan Cross Oath". Since then the Patriarch of Antioch
exercised ecclesiastical supremacy over what may be called the
"Malankara Syrian Christian Church". With the rise of the British power
in Southern India, they pressurised the Malarikara Syrian Christian E_
community to embrace Protestant faith, succeeding to some extent. In
the year 04.04.1840 disputes arose between .the two groups (one
embracing Protestant faith and the other adhering to Orthodox faith),
which was settledby the "(:;ochin Award" rendered on 4.4.18.40. As per
this award, the Church properties were divided between the Church F
Mission Society (Protestants) and the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church
(Orthodox faith). The amount of3000 Star Pagodas deposited by Mar
Thoma VI (Dionysius the Great) with the East India Company at 8 %
interest came to be allotted to Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church. On •
account of disputes between the members ofMalankara Jacobite Syrian
~lmrch, Partairch Peter III of Antioch came to Malabar in 1876. He G
1-'t/rted a fr!eeting of the accredited representatives of all Churches in .
Malabar which is known as the "Mulanthuruthy Synod~'. At this Synod,
Malankara Syrian Christian Association (viz. Malankara Association)
was formed to manage the affairs of the church and the community.
H
',.
l
36 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A The Malankara Metropolitan was made its ex-officio President. Until
1876, the entire Malabar was comprised in one Diocese. Thereafter, it
was divided into seven Dioceses, each Diocese headed by a
Metropolitan. One of them was to be designated as Malankara
Metropolitan who exercised spiritual and temporal powers over all the
Dioceses.
B
SEMINARY SUIT:
6. "Seminary Suit" was filed on 4.7.1879 by Mar Joseph Dionysius
claiming to be the properly consecrated Metropolitan of Malankara
Jacobite Syrian Church and the President of Malankara Association
c agafost Mar Thomas Ath"anasius. The main dispute between them was
while the plaintiff claimed supremacy of the Patriarch, the defendants
denied such supremacy. The suit was disposed of by Travancore Royal
Court of Final Appeal in the year 1889. The Court found: (i) that the
ecclesiastical supremacy of the Patriarch of Antioch over Malankara
D Syrian Christian Church in Travancore had all along been recognized
and acknowledged by Jacobite Syrian Christian community and their
Metropolitans; (ii) the exercise of supreme power consisted in ordaining,
either qirectly or through duly authorized delegates, Metropolitans from
time to time to manage the spiritual matters ofthe local Church, in sending
Morone to be used in the churches for baptismal and other purposes and
E in general exercising supervision over the spiritual government of the
Church. (iii) the authority of Patriarch never extended to temporal affairs
of the Church which in that behalf was an independent Church; (iv) the
Metropolitan of the Syrian Christian Church in Travancore should be a
native of Malabar consecrated by the Patriarch or by his duly authorized
delegate and accepted by the people as their Metropolitan; ( v) the plaintiff
.F was so consecrated by Patriarch and accepted by the majority of the
people and therefore entitled to be recognized and declared as the
Malankara Metropolitan and as the trustee of the Church properties.
ARTHAT SUIT:

G 7. On 15.8.1905 there was Arthat suit. The Patriarch of Antioch
did not relish the aforesaid judgment in seminary suit inasmuch as it
declared that he had no control over the temporal affairs of Malankara
church. Some local Christians supported him which led to the institution
of a suit in 1877 in which judgment of Court of Appeal of Cochin was
renqered affirming the findings of the Travancore Royal Court. It was
H
,_1
'I
il
.Ii·1
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 37
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

found that though the Patriarch of Antioch is the spiritual head of A
Malankara Syrian Jacobite Christian Church, the churches and their
properties are subject to the spiritual, temporal and ecclesiastical
jurisdiction of the Malankara Metropolitan. In other words, the Patriarch's
claim ofcontrol over the temporal affairs of the Malankara Church was
negatived once again. The recognition given to Abdul Messiah· as the B
Patriarch of Antioch was withdrawn by the Sultan of Turkey and he .
recognized Abdulla II as the Patriarch of Antioch. It was noted by this.
Court in 1995 judgment that whereas the effect of withdrawal of
recognition, as per one view, was thatAbdul Messiah ceased to exer~ise'
any and all the powers of Patriarch; the other view was that said
withdrawal did not affect the spiritual authority of Abdul Messiah; This C
Court noted that the dispute between Abdul Messiah and Abdulla-JI led
1. to the formation of two groups in the Malankara church.
8. As stated above, the Sultan of Turkey withdrew the recognition
,;
i.,. given to Abdul Messiah as the Patriarch of Antioch and recognized
Abdulla l1 as the Partiatch. Mar Geecarghese Dionysius was Qrdained D
as Metropolitan by Patriarch Abdulla II at Jerusalem. Mar Geecarghese
Dionysius became the Malankara Metropolitan on the death of Mar
Joseph Dionysfos. Due to differences between Mar Geevarghese
Dionysius and Abdullah II, the latter excommunicated the former on
'.1
31.3.1911. Few months later, Abdulla II appointed Paulose Mar Kurilos
li' as the Malankara Metropolitan. Mar Geevarghese Dionysius convened · E
"ii,. a meeting of the Malankara Syrian Christian Jacobite Church which
1,
declared his excommunication as invalid.
h
REVIVAL OF CATHOLICATE IN 1912:
\i
.I 9. In 1912 revival of Catholicate was effectuated by Abdul F
Messiah by ~onsecrating one Mar Ivanios as the Catholicos. Two
K\llpanas Ex. A-13 andA-14 were put forward as the Kalpana of Abdul
Messiah reviving the Catholicate as referred in 1995 judgment. The
Patriarch group disputed Ex. A-13. According to them Ex. A-14 was the
only version while Catholicos group say that Ex. A~ 14 was preceded by
A-13 dated 17.9.1912 by virtue of the order of the office of the Shepherd,· G
entrusted to Simon Peter by Lord Jesus Messiah,'whereby they were
prompted to perpetuate Catholicos or Mapriyana to ·serve all spiritual
requirements that are necessary for the conduct ofthe order of the holy
true Church in accordance with its faith.
H
38 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A I 0. Discussion made by this Court in 1995 judgment with respe1-t
to establishment ofCatholicos is as under:
"106. Two documents are put forward as the Kalpana ofAbdul
Messiah reviving the Catholicate, namely, Exs. A-13 and A-14.
The Patriarch group (who are the appellants before us) dispute
B Ex. A-13. They say that Ex. A-14 is the only version while
Catholicos group (who are respondents before us) say that Ex.
A-14 was preceded by Ex. A-13 and that without Ex. A-13 there
could not have been Ex. A-14. We may notice the contents of
both the documents. Ex. A-13 which is dated 17-9-1912, says
inter alia, "by virtue of the order of the office of the Shepherd,
c entrusted to Simon Peter by our Lord Jesus Messiah, we are
prompted to perpetuate for you Catholicos or Mapriyana to
serve all spiritual requirements that are necessary for the
conduct of the order of the holy true Church in accordance
with itsfaith .... With Geevarghese Mar Dionysius Metropolitan,
D who is the head of the Metropolitans in Malankara and with other
Metropolitans, Ascetics, Deacons and a large number of faithfuls,
we have ordained in person our spiritually beloved Evanios in the
name of Baselius as Mapriyana, i.e., as the Catholicos on the
Throne of St. Thomas in the East, i.e., in India and other places
at the St. Mary's Church, Niranam on Sunday, 2nd Kanni, 1912
E AD as per your request" (emphasis added). Ex. A-13 then sets
out the authority and the jurisdiction ofCatholicos so revived in
the following words:
"The authority to serve all spiritual elements in public, which
are necessary for protecting the tradition of the Holy Church
F has been given to him (Evanios) by the Holy Ghost as was
given to the Holy Apostles by our Lord Jesus Messiah. Authority
means the authority to ordain Metropolitans, Episcopas and to
consecrate Holy Morone and to serve all the other spiritual
items and also to administer the Kandanadu Diocese as he was
earlier .... You must respect and love him properly and suitably
G
because he is your head, Shepherd and spiritual father. He who
respects him, respects us. He who receives him, receives us.
Those who do not accept his right words and those who stand
against his opinions which are in accordance with the Canon of
the Church, defy him and quarrel with him, will become
H gm'lty ...."
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 39
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

107. Coming to Ex. A-14, which is dated 19~2-1913, the third A
paragraph starts by saying:
"After bestowing on you our blessings a second time, we
desire to make known to you our true affection that ever since
your letters reached our weakness in midiat, we have been
deeply grieved at the dissensions sown by Abdulla Effendi B
among our spiritual children in all our churches in Malabar.?'
A little later A-14 says:
"Accordingly, we, by the Grace of God, in response to your
request, ordained a Maphrian, that is, Catholicos by name
Poulose Basselios and three new Metropolitans, the first being C
Gheevarghese Gregorius, the second Joachim Evanios and the.
third, Gheevarghese Philexinos. It appears to us that, unless
we do instal a Catholicos, our Church, owing to various causes,
is not likely to stand firm, in purity and holiness. And, now, we
do realise that by the might of our Lord, it will endure unto D
Eternity, in purity and holiness, and more than in times past,
be confirmed in the loving bond of communion with the
Throne of Antioch. The joy of our heart is herein realised.
Our children, abide ye now in peace. As for ourselves, we
leave you. Rest assured that though we leave you, we shall
never be unmindful of you. We shall incessantly lift up our eyes E
unto heaven and offer our prayers and intercessions for the
guileless lambs, redeemed by the previous blood of our Saviour
Jesus Christ. Pray ye for us, and for our entire community.
Abide ye in love, peace and concord. Pray ye for your enemies,
and, for those that revile you without cause. Be not afraid of F
the uncanonical and unjustifiable interdicts and curses of the
usurper. Heed not those who create dissensions. God will reward
them for their action, be they good or bad. We commend you
into the hands of Jesus Christ, our Lord, the Great Shepherd of
the flock. May he keep you. We rest confident that the
Catholicos and Metropolitans - your shepherds - will G
fulfil all your wants. The Catholicos, aided by the
Metropolitans, will ordain melpattakkars, in accordance with
the Canons of our Holy fathers and consecrate Holy Mororie.
In your Metropolitans is vested the sanction and authority ·
· to instal a Catholicos, when a Catholicos died. No one can H
40 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A resist you in the exercise of this right and, do all things properly,
and in conformity with precedents with the advice of the
committee, presided over by Dionysius, Metropolitan of
Malankara. We beseech your love, and counsel you in the name
of our Lord Jesus that ye faint not in your true faith of Saint
Peter, on which is built, the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
B
What we enjoin your true love is that the unlawful conduct of a
usurper, may not induce you to sever that communion which is
the bond of love connecting you with the Apostolic Throne of
Antioch."
(emphasis added)
c 108. The main difference between Ex. A-13 and Ex. A-14 is
twofold: Firstly, A-13 speaks of "Catholicos on the Throne of St.
Thomas in the East", which words are not to be found in A-14.
Secondly,A-14 contains the following words: "in your Metropolitans
is vested the sanction and authority to install a Catholicos, when a
D Catholicos dies. No one can resist you in the exercise of this right
and do all things properly, and in conformity with precedents with
the advice of the committee, presided over by Dionysius,
Metropolitan of Malankara", which are not found in Ex. A-13.
More about these documents later."
.E VATTIPANAM SUIT
11. Dispute arose as to the persons entitled to the interest on 3000
Star Pagodas aforementioned. It was converted to a representative
suit. Patriarch and Catholicos factions were parties. Withdrawal of
recognition of Abdul Messiah came in question. Excommunication of
F first defendant by Abdulla Il was held to be invalid. District Judge upheld
the claim ofCatholicos group, Defendant Nos. I to 3, for interest. Election
for the post of Malankara Metropolitan was held to be void at law. It
was also held that withdrawal of recognition by the Sultan of Turkey did
not deprive Abdul Messiah from his functional powers of supervision.
G 12. In 1923 patriarch group filed appeal before the High Court of
Travancore since reported in 41 TLR I. A Full Bench of the High Court
allowed the appeal and reversed the judgment and decree of the District
Court. However defendants I to 3 filed review. The appeal was reheard
by another Full Bench vide judgment pronounced on 4. 7.1928. It upheld
the decision of the District Judge and confirmed the decree. The Full
H Bench held -
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 41
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

"(1) The excommunication ofMar-Geevarghese Dionysius (the A
first defendant) was invalid because of the breach of the rules of
natural justice in that he was not apprised of the charges against
him and had not beeri given a reasonable opportunity to deferid
himself. In other words, he remains the Malankara Metropolitan;
(ii) That Defendants l to 3 had not become heretics or aliens B
or had not set up a new Church by accepting the establisjiment of
the Catholicate by Abdul Messiah with power to _the Catholicos
for.the time being to ordain Metropolitans and to consecrate
Morone and thereby reducing the power of the Patriarch over the
Malankara Church to a vanishing point;
c
(iii) That the Defendants 4 to 6 had not been validly elected."
IJ. This Court also took note of the fact that in Vattipanam suit, _
whereas the Patriarch contended that the members of the Catholicos
group had become aliens to the faith by repudiating the supremacy of
the Patriarch by recognizing the authority and the power of the Catholicos, D
the Catholicate group contended that they have not repudiated the
Patriarch and that by recognizing the Catholicos, they have in no ma_nner
denied the ecclesiastical superiority of the Patriarch. There was the
excommunication of the Malankara Metropolitan and not of the
Catholicos. This Court also noted that it was Patriarch group which was
saying that by espousing the cause of and the revival of Catholicos, E
Defendants 1 to 3 had in effJ_Ct Ieduced the power of the Patriarch over
the Malankara Church to a vanishing point-which in their view amounted
to repudiation of the power and authority of the Patriarch whereas the
Catholicos contended that they had no such intention to do so, The
excommunication was held invalid on the ground ofviolation of principles F
· of natural justice. In Vattipanam suit it was also found that the church to
which defendartts 1 to 3 that is Catholicos, belong is a different church
. which the endowment now In dispute was
from that for ' - . . made..
Post Vattipanam Suit Events :
14. AfterVattipanam suit, both the sides tried to consolidate their G
respective positions. On 16.8.1928 the Managing Committee of the
Malankara Association was formed for drawing a constitution for the
church and the association. Dispute also arose with respect to the person
who is entitled to receive interest.On 21.8.1928 civil suit was filed·in the
District Court of Kottayam belonging to Patriarch group against Mar
H
42 SUPREME COURT REPORTS . [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Geevarghese {)ionysius and two others including the then Catholicos
Mar Geevarghese Philixinos. The suit was dismissed due to non-
compliance with certain orders regarding payment of monies to
Commissioner appointed in the suit. The restoration application was
dismissed against the Catholicos which was filed in the High Com1. In
193 I, Patriarch Elias I at the instance of Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of
8
India, visited Malabar in order to solve the dispute between two rival
groups i.n the Malankara church but he died at Malabar before he could
effect any settlement. In his place one Ephraim was elected as the
Patriarch of Antioch in 1933, allegedly without notice to the Malabar
community. Therefore, Mar Geevarghese Dionysius and his supporters
C did not recognize him as duly elected Patriarch.
15. In February, 1934 Mar Geevarghese Dionysius died and the
trust properties passed into possession of his co-trustees. Thereafter
draft constitution was prepared and published in the shape of a pamphlet.
On 3.12.1934 notices were issued convening a meeting of all the
D churches to be held on 26.12.1934 M D Seminary at Kottayam inter
alia, for electing the Malankara Metropolian and adopting the draft
Constitution. Notices were also published in two leading Malayalam
newspapers. Proceedings were drawn which was exhibited as Ex. 64 in
Samudayam suit, at which the third Catholicos, Mar. Basselios
Geevarghese-II was elected as Malankara Metropolitan. Importantly,
E the draft Constitution was also adopted at the said meeting.
16. The Constitution was adopted by Malankara Association on
26.12.1934. It contained certain declaration in Part 1. Part 2 deals with
the Parish church which consists of:

F A. The Parish Assembly;
B. Parish Managing Committee;
c. Kaisthani (lay-steward);
D. Vicar.
G Part 3 deals with Diocese with following sub-heads:
A. Diocesan Assembly,
B. Diocese Council,
c. Diocesan Metropolitan.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 43
. ORTH.. & ORS~ f ARUN MISHRA, J.] .
. ·. .. .' .' .
. . . . . . .
Part 4 deals with Malankara Afch~Diocese with sub-heads: A
A. Association;·
B. Association Managing Committee;
c. The Community Trustees;
D. Malankara Metropolitan ... B

Part 5 deals with Catholicos ..
. . .
Part .6 with Patriarch.
. . . . - .
. Part 7 deals with Episcopal Synod.·
c
' . ·'· - · .. '·
(A) Deacons and Priests;
(B) High priests (Prelates);
Part 9 deals with Complaints and Decisions. ·
D
Part l 0 : Income;
Part 11 - Monasteries;
Part 12- Rule Committee; and
Part 13 - Miscellaneous.
E
Thereafter Constitution has been amended a number of times.
SAMUDAYAM SUIT:
17. After framing of the Constitution, the Metropolitans of the
Patriarchal party issued notices on S. 7.193 S summonirig meeting of the
church representatives for 22.8.1935 to elect the Malankara Metropolitan. F
The notice stated that none of the persons belonging to Catholicos party
should be elected. In that meeting Mar Poulose Athanasius was elected
as the Malankara Metropolitan. The meeting purported to remove the
trustees elected at the meeting held on 2.6.12.1934 (i.e. Mani Poulose
Kathanar and E.J. Joseph, belonging to Catholicos group) and appointed G
two other persons in their place.
18. The patriarch group in the year 1938 filed Samudayam suit in
the District Court, Kottayam for a declaration of their title as trustees of
Samudayam properties (common properties of the Malankara Church)
and for a further declaration that defendants to that suit belonging to H
--- -···--·" ~·' :..... - -.

44 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Catholicos group, were not lawful trustees. Other incidental reliefs were
also prayed for. The suit was dismissed by the trial court on 18.1.1943
against which plaintiff filed an appeal which was allowed on 8.8.1946
and the suit was decreed by majority of Judges by 2 : I. Matter w:> 0
carried to this Court. This Court directed the High Court to re-hear the
B . appeal on all the points. Thereafter appeaJ was re-heard and was allowed
vide judgment dated 13 .12 .1956 The suit was decreed. The defendants,
Catholicos group, filed an appeal in this Court which was allowed on
12.9.1958 as per Moran Mar Basselios Catholicos v. Thukalan Paulo
Avira & Ors., AIR 1959 SC 31.
It was found by this Court in Samudayam suit that the plaintiff's
C election at a meeting held on 22.8.1935 in which original plaintiff is said
to have been elected the Malankara Metropolitan and plaintiffs 2 and 3
as Kathanar, and lay trustees was invalid. Since the meeting was held
without notice to the members of the Catholicos party, the defendants
and their partisans had not become ipso facto heretics or aliens or had
D not gone out of the Church; that the meeting 22.8.193 5 had not been
held on due notice to all churches interested. It was held that consequently
it was not a valid meeting, and that therefor_e, the election of the plaintiffs
was not valid and suit must fail for want of their title as trustees. The suit
was taken on behalf of all the members of the said community. The
following issues were framed in the aforesaid case as noted by this
E Court in the said judgment:
"28. Not less than 37 issues were raised on the pleadings. Of
them issues I and 3 raise the question of the validity of the
respective titles of the three plaintiffs, that is to say, title of the
first plaintiff as Malankara Metropolitan and of the second and
F third plaintiffs as the trustees of the church properties and the
validity of the Karingasserai meeting in August 1935. Issues 6 to
· 9 concern the validity of the M. D. Seminary meeting in December
1934 at which the first defendant is alleged to have been elected
as Malankara Metropolitan, the second and third defendants
G having been previously elected trustees as the Kathanar and the
lay trustees. Issues Nos. I0, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 and 20 are
as follows : -
"10. Has the 1st defendant been duly and validly installed as
Catholicos in 1104? Ifso by whom? And was it done with the co-
H
. K. S. VARGHESE'& ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 45
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

operation and consent of Mar Geevarghese Dionysius and the A
other Metropolitans ofMalankara?
·(a) Were his two immediate predecessors in that office also duly "
Gu 'and validity installed in the same manner and did they function as
such?
(b) Has the institution bf the Catholicate for the East exercising B
jurisdiction over Malankara ever existed at any time before 1088?
(c) Was the institution of the Catholicate for the East with
jurisdiction in Malankara, purported to be brought into existence ·
in I 088 for the first time? Or had it only been in abeyance for
some time? And was i,t only revived and re-established in 1088? c
(d) Was such a re-establishment effected by Abdul Messiah with
the co- operation of the late Malankara Metropolitan Mar
Geevarghese Dionysius and the other Metropolitans ofMalankara
and the Malankara Church? If so, is it valid and lawful? Was
Abdul Messiah competent to do so? D
(e) Did Mar Geevarghese Dionysius submit himself to the authority
of the Catholicate from I 088 till his death?
(f) Have the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Association the
.Association Committee, and the Churches and people ·ofMalankara E
also accepted the Catholicate and have submitted themselves to
·its authority from 1088? -
(g) Are the plaintiffs estoppedfrom contending that the Catholicate
was not validly re~estabiished in I088 or that its authority was not
accepted or recognised by the Malanicira Jacobite Syrian Church?
' . F
L (h) Whether after the revival of the Catholicate the powers of the
Patriarch, if any, as regards ordination or appointment of the
Malankara Metropolitan and the Metropolitans ofMalankara have
become vested in the Catholicos?
G) Cannot the offices of Catholicos and Malankara. Metropolitan G
be combined in one and the same person? ,_
11. Is the Patriarch of Antioch. the ecclesiastical head of the .
Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church or is he only the supreme
spiritual head? · ·
H
46 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (a) What is the nature, extent and scope of the Patriarch's
ecclesiastical or spiritual authority, jurisdiction, or supremacy over
the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church?
(b) Is the Patriarch acting by himself or through the Delegate
duly authorised by him in that behalf, the only authority competent
B to consecr.ate Metropolitans for Malankara? Or is the consecration
a Synodical Act in which the Patriarch acts and can act only in
conjunction with a Synod of two or more Metrans?
(c) Whether "Kaivappu" or "the laying on of hands" which is a
necessary and indispensable item in the consecration of a
c Metropolitan should be by the Patriarch or his duly appointed
Delegate alone or can it be done by the Catholicos also?
(d) Is the Patriarch alone entitled to and competent to consecrate
"Morone" for use in the Malankara Church? Or is the Catholicos
also entitled to do it?
D (e) Whether by virtue of long-standing custom accepted by the
Malankara Church and rulings of Courts, the Holy Morone for
use in the Malankara Churches has to be consecrated by the
Patriarch?
(t) Is the allocation of Dioceses or Edavagais in Malankara a
E right vesting solely in the Patriarch and whether before exercising
jurisdiction in any Diocese the Metropolitan ordained and appointed
by the Patriarch (by issuing a Staticon) has only to be accepted
by the People of the Diocese? Or is the allocation of Edavagais,
so far as Malankara is concerned, not a right which the Patriarch
or Catholicos or Malankara Metropolitan has or has ever had, but
F
a right which vests and has always vested in the Malankara
Jacobite Syrian.Association? Whether~ Metropolitan, before he
can exercise jurisdiction in any Diocese in Malankara, must have
beeri either elected for the office before ordination by the
Malankara Jacobite Syrian Association duly convened for the
G purpose or accepted by the same after ordination?
(g) Is the Patriarch the sole and only authority competent to ordain
and appoint the Malankara Metropolitan? Is the issue of a Staticon
or order of appointment by the Patriarch either before selection
or election by the meeting of the church representatives or after
H such election or selection essential? Or is such order unnecessary
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S &PAUL'S SYRIAN 47
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

and the election, or acceptance by the Jacobite Syrian Association A
sufficient?
(h) What is Ressissa? Is it a contribution which the Patriarch and
Patriarch alone is entitled to levy as a matter of right? Or is it only
in the nature ofa voluntary gift which.may he made to or received
by the Patriarch and Catholicos? B
(i) Has the Patriarch no temporal authority or jurisdiction or control ··
whatever over the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church? or whether,
as the ecclesiastical head, he could exercise and has all along
exercised temporal authority by awarding such spiritual punishment
as he thinks fit in cases of mismanagement or misappropriation of c
clmrch assets?
13. Which is the correct and genuine version of the Hoodaya
Canons compiled by Mar Hebraeus? Whether it is the book marked
as Ex. A or the book marked as Ex. XVIII in 0. S. 94
-; ..d..
of l 088?
.

14. Do all or any of the following acts of the lst defendant and his D
. partisans amount to open defiance of the authority of the Patriarch
? Are they against the tenets of the Jacobite Syrian Church and
do they amount to heresy and render them ipso facto heretics and
aliens to the faith?
· (i) Claim that the l st defendant is a Catholicos? E
(ii) Claim that he is the Malankara Metropolitan?
(iii) Claim that the !st defendant has authority to consecrate
Morone and the fact that he is so consecrating?
(iv) Collection ofRessissa by the !st defendant? F
15. (a) Have the !st defendant and his partisans voluntarily given
up their allegiance to and seceded from the Ancient Jacobite Syrian
Church?
(b) Have they established a new Church styled the Malankara G
· Orthodox Syrian Church?
(c) Have they framed a constitution for the new church conferring
authority in. the Catholicos to consecrate Morone to ordain the ·
higher orders of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, to issue Stations
allociltipg Dioceses to the Metropolitans and, to coflect Ressissa?.
H
.· .
48 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (d) Do these functions and rights appertain solely to' the Patriarch
and does the assertion and claim of the 1st defendant to exercise
these rights amount to a rejection of the Patriarch?
(e) Have they instituted the Catholicate for the first time in
Malankara? Do the above acts, if proved, amount to heresy?
8 16. (a) Have the defendants ceased to be members of the Ancient
Jacobite Syrian Church?
(b) Have they forfeited their right to be trustees or to hold any
other office in the Church?

c (c) Have they forfeited their right to be beneficiaries in respect of
the trust properties belonging to the Malankara Jacobite Syrian
community?
·17. Have defendants 2 and 3 by helping and actively co-operating
with the I st defendant in the above acts and pretensions become
D
heretics or aliens to the faith or gone out of the fold? .
19. (a) Have the plaintiffs and their partisans formed themselves
into a separate Church in opposition to Mar Geevarghese Dionysius
and the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church?
(b) Have they separated themselves from the main body of the
E beneficiaries of the trust from I085?
20. (i) Do the following acts and claims of the plaintiffs constitute
such separation?
(a) (i) The claim that Patriarch alone can consecrate Morone?
F (ii) That the Canon of the Church is Ex. XXIII in 0. S. 94?
(iii) That the Catholicate is not established?
(iv) Thatthe Patriarch by himself can ordain and excommunicate
Metropolitans?
(b) Have the plaintiffs been, claiming that the Patriarch has
G
temporal powers over the Church?
(c) Have they been urging that Mar Geevarghese Dionysius was
not the Malankara Metropolitan?
(d) Have they made alterations in the liturgy of the church?
H
· K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 49
. ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

'
(e) Has the 1st plaintiff executed an Udampady to the Patriarch A
conceding him temporal powers over the Jacobite Syrian Church
and its properties?
(t) Have the plaintiffs and their partisans by virtue of the above
acts and claims become aliens to the church and disentitled to be
trustees or beneficiaries of !he Church and its properties? B
The pleadings, in which may be included the replication andthe
issue papers and the actual issues raised in this case, quite clearly
indicate that the principal contention of the plaintiffs in the present
suit is that the defendants had become heretics or aliens to the
Church or had vo.!uritarily gone out of the Church only by reason · c
of certain conduct definitely particularised in paragraphs J9 to 26
of the plaint, namely, (i) the acceptance of Abd11I Messiah as a
validly continuing Patriarch; (ii) the acceptance ofthe establishment
of the Catholicate with power to the Catholicos for the time being
, (a) to ordain Metropolitans. (b) to consecrate Morone (c) to issue
Staticons, (d).to allot Edavagais and (e) to receive Ressissa. These D
are the specific acts on which is founded the charge of heresy or
going out of the Church by setting up a new Church. It has not
been disputed that the po~er to issue Staticons and to allot
Edavagais are not independent powers but are incidental to and
flow from the power to ordain Metropolitans. The question is E
whether these contentions are concluded by the final decision,
(Ex, 256) pronounced on July 4, 1928 in the interpleader suit (0.
S. No. 94 of I 088) which is reported in 45 Trav. L. R..116. (A-1 J.
This leads us to scrutinise the matters which were iii issue in that
suit.
F
19. This Court has held in Samudayam Suit, thus:
"35. It must, therefore, be held that the contentions put forward
in paragraphs 19 to 26 of the plaint in the present suit on which
issues Nos.14,15,16 and 19 have been raised were directly and
substantially in issue in the interpleader suit (0.S. 94 of l 088) and G
had been decided by the Travancore High Court on review in
favour of Mar Geevarghese Dionysius and his t\vo co-truste.es
(defendants l to 3) and against defendants 4 to 6. In short the
question whether Mar Geevarghese Dionysius and his two
·co-trustees (defendants Nos. 1 to.1) had become heretics or aliens
H
·-· '" ............

50 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A or had gone out of the Church and, therefore, were not qualified
for acting as trustees was in issue in the interpleader suit (O.S.
No.94 of I088) and it was absolutely necessary to decide such
issue. That judgment decided that neither (a) the repudiation of
Abdulla II, nor (b) acceptance of Abdul Messiah who had ceased
to be a Patriarch, nor (c) acceptance of the Catholicate with
B
powers as hereinbefore mentioned, nor (d) the reduction of the
power of the Patriarch to a vanishing point, 'ipso facto' constituted
a heresy or amounted to voluntary separation by setting up a new
Church and that being the position those contentions cannot be
re-agitated in the present suit."
c 33. Learned counsel appearing for the respondents seek to get
out of this position by contending that, apart from the grounds set
up in the interpleader suit (0. S. No. 94of1088) the plaintiffs in
the present suit also rely on a cause of action founded on new
charges which disqualify the defendants in the present suit from
D acting as trustees of the Church properties. Shri T. N. Subramania
Aiyar appearing for the third respondent who has been elected
Malankara Metropolitan by the Patriarchal party and made a party
to the proceedings under the order of the court aforementioned
formulates the new charges as follows :
E (i) By adopting the new constitution (Ex. A. M.), which takes
away the supremacy of the Patriarch, the defendants have set up
a new church;
(ii) By inserting Cl. (5) in the constitution (Ex. A. M.) the
defendants have repudiated the canons which have been found to
F be the true canon.s binding on the Church (Ex. BP - Ex. 18 in 0.
S. No. 94 of 1088) and have thereby gone out of the Church;
(iia) The privilege of the Patriarch alone to ordain Metropolitans
and to consecrate Morone has been taken away as a consequence
of the adoption of wrong canon (Ex. 26- Ex. A in 0, S. No. 94 of
G I088) indicating that the defendants have set up a new church:
(iib) The privilege of the perquisites of the Ressissa has been
denied to the Patriarch by the new constitution in breach of the
true canons;
(iii) That there has been a complete transfer of the trust properties
H from the beneficiaries, namely, Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN SI
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

to an entirely different institution, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian A
Church;
(iv) The re-establishment of the institution of the Catholicate of
the East in Malabar havingjurisdiction over India, Burma, Ceylon
and other countries in the East is different from the institution of
Catholicate that was the subject-matter of the interpleader suit B
(0. S. No. 94 of I 088). It is necessary now to discuss these
contentions separately.
34. Re. (I) : In support of the first charge learned counsel has
drawn our attention. to paragraphs 18, 22 and 26 of the plaint,
paragraphs 29 and 38 of the written statement, paragraphs 18 C
and 27 of the replication and to issues Nos. 6, 14, IS and 16. We
do not think the pleadings and the issues are capable of being
construed in the way learned counsel would have us do. The
supremacy of the Patriarch has indeed been alleged to have been
taken away, but that is not a general averment founded on Ex. A.
0
M. - indeed there is no. specific mention ofEx. A. M. in paragraph
26 of the plaint - but it is based on certain specific matters which
appear to be incorporated as rules of the new constitution (Ex. A.
M.). Therefore, what are pleaded as disqualifying the defendants
from being trustees are those specific matters and not the general
fact of adoption of the constitution. There is no. charge in the E
plaint that for the incorporation in the constitution (Ex. A. M.) of
any matter other than those specifically pleaded in the plaint the
defendants have incurred a disqualification. The plaintiffs came
to court charging the defendants as heretics or as having gone out
of the church for having adopted a constitution (Ex. A. M.) which
F
contains the several specific matters pleaded in the plaint and
repeated in the replication and made the subject-matter of specific
issues. Those self-same matters were relied on as entailing
disqualification in the earlier suit. The plaintiffs themselves contend
that some of these matters are 'res judicata' against the defendants
in this suit by reason of the conditions subject to which their G
application for review was admitted. On the pleadings l_lS they
stand and on the issues as they have been framed, it is now
impossible to permit the plaintiff-respondent to go outside the
pleadings· and set up a new case that the supremacy of the
Patriarch has been taken away by the mere fact of the adoption H
52 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A of the new constitution (Ex. A. M.) or by any particular clause
there of other than those relating to matters specifically referred
to in the pleadings. The issues cannot be permitted to be stretched
to cover matters which are not, on a reasonable construction,
within the pleadings on which they were fo;inded.
B 35. Re: (ii) and (ii a): Same remarks apply to these two grounds
formulated above. There is no. averment anywhere in the pleadings
that by accepting the Hudaya canon compiled by Bar Hebreus
(Ex. 26 - Ex. A in O.S. No. 94 of I088) as the correct canon
governing the church, the defendants have gone out of the Church.
c Learned counsel draws our attention first to issue No. 13 and
then to issue No. 16 and contends that the loss of status as
members of the Church by acceptance of the wrong canon is
within the scope of those two issues and that the parties to this
suit went to trial with that understanding. We do not consider this
argument to be well founded at all. A reference to the pleadings
D will indicate how and why the Hoodaya canon came to be pleaded
and discussed in this case. The plaintiffs impute certain acts and
conduct to the defendants and contend that by reason thereof the
defendants have become heretics or aliens or have gone out of
the Church. These imputations form the subject-matter of issues
E 14 and 15 and the conclusions to be drawn from the findings on
those issues are the subject-matter of issues Nos.16 and 17. The
defendants, on the other hand, impute certain acts and conduct to
the plaintiffs as a result of which, they contend, the plaintiffs have
separated from the Church arid constituted a new Church. Issues
19 and 20 are directed to this counter charge. In order to decide
F these charges and counter charges it is absolutely necessary to
determine which is the correct book of canons, for the plaintiffs
foundea their charges on Ex. B. P. - Ex. 18 in 0. S. No. 94 of
I 088 and the defendants took their stand on Ex. 26 - Ex. A in 0.
S. No. 94 of I088. Issue No. 13 was directed to determine that
G question. Issue No. 16 is concerned with the conclusions to be
drawn from the findings on issues Nos. 14 and 15. The plaintiffs
cannot be permitted to use issue No. 16 as a general issue not
limited to the subject-matter of issues 14 and 15, for that will be
stretching it far beyond its legitimate purpose.

H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 53
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

36. Re. (ii b): This ground raises the question of the Patriarch's A
ri.ght to Ressissa. Ressissa is a voluntary and not a compulsory
contribution made by the parishioners. Ex. F. 0., which records
the proceedings of the Mulunthuruthu Synod held on June 27,
1876, refers to a resolution providing, 'inter alia', thatthe committee,
that is to say, the Committee of the Malankara Association, will B
be responsible to collect and send the Ressissa due to His Holiness
the Patriarch. This may suggest that some Ressissa was due to
the Patriarch. But in paragraph 218 of Ex. DY which is the
judgment pronounced by the Travancore Royal Court of Final
Appeal on July 12, 1889, it is stated that no. satisfactory evidence
had been adduced before the court as to the payment ofRessissa C
to the Patriarch by the committee in Malankara that the evidence
on record was very meagre and inconclusive and that it was open
to doubt whether it was payable to the Metropolitans in this country
_or to_ the Patriarch in a foreign country. Ex. 86, which records the
proceedings of the meeting of the Malankara Association held on
0
September 7, 1911, refers to a resolution forbidding maintaining
any con·nection with Patriarch Abdulla ll and presumably in
consequence of this resolution the payment of the Ressissa to the
Patriarch was stopped. The interpleader suit (0. S. No. 94 of
1088) was filed in 1913; If non-payment of Ressissa could be
made a ground of attack, it should have been taken in that suit and E
that not having been, done, it cannot i:iow be put forward according , .
to the principles of constructive 'res judicata'. Besides, the
provisions of Paragraph 11 S of the impugned constitution (Ex. A.
M.) require every Vicar in every parish church to collect only two.
chukrums from ev!!ry male member who has completed 21 years F
of age and to send it to the Catholicos. This does'not forbid the
payment ofRessissa to the Patriarch, if any be due to hiJTI and if
any parishioner is inclined to pay anything to the Patriarch who is
declared in Cl. ( 1) of this very constitution to be the supreme
head of the Orthodox Syrian Church. In any case, according to
the canons relied upon by each of the parties, namely, Ex. B..P. - G
Ex, 18 of 0. S. No. 94 of I088 produced by the plaintiffs or Ex.
26-Ex.Ain 0. S. No. 94of1088 insisted upon by the defendants,
the non-payment ofRessissa does not entail heresy. Even if the
question involved in ground (ii b) is not covered by the previous
H
54 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A decision in the interpleader suit (0. S. No. 94 of l 088) the question
has, on the foregoing grounds, to be decided against the plaintiff-
respondent.
38. Re. (iv) : An attempt is made by learned counsel for the
respondents to make out that what was referred to in the
B interpleader suit (0. S. No. 94 of I 088) was Tue ordination of a
Catholicos whereas in the present suit reference is made to the
establishment of a Catholicate and further that in any case the
Catholicate of the East referred to in the plaint in the present suit
is an institution quite different from the Catholicate which was
the subject-matter of discussion in the interpleader suit (0. S. No.
c 94 of I088.). We do not think there is any substance whatever in
this contention. A reference to paragraphs 30 and 3 I of the written
statement clearly indicates that the institution ofCatholicate, which
is relied upon by the defendants, is no. other than the Catholicate
established in Malabar in I088 by Patriarch Abdul Messiah. This
D position is accepted by the plaintiffs themselves in their grounds
ofappeal Nos. 13, 15, 17, 18 and 27 to the High Comt ofTravancore
from the decision of the District Judge ofKottayam in this case.
Issues Nos. 14 and 15 as well as the judgment of the District
Judge in this case also indicate that the subject-matter of this part
of the controversy centred round the Catholicate which had been
E established by Abdul Messiah in the year 1088. Before the
argument advanced before us there never was a case that the
impugned constitution (Ex. A. M.) had established a Catholicate
of the East. The purported distinction sought to be drawn between
the ordination of Catholicos and the establishment ofa Catholicate
F and a Catholicate established by Abdul Messiah in l 088 and the
Catholicate of the East created by the impugned constitution (Ex.
A. M.) and which is sought to be founded upon as a new cause of
action in the present suit, appears to us to be a purely fanciful
afterthought and is totally untenable.
39. For reasons stated above we have come to the conclusion
G
and we hold that the case with which the plaintiffs have come to
court in the present suit is that the defendants had become heretics
or aliens or had gone out of the Church by establishing a new
church because of the specific acts and conduct imputed to the
defendants in the present suit and that the charges founded on
H those specific acts and conduct are concluded by the final judgment
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN SS
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

(Ex. 2S6) of the High Court ofTravancore in the interpleader suit A
(0. S. No. 94 of 1088) which operates as 'res judicata'. The
charge founded on the fact of non-payment ofRessissa, if it is not
concluded as constructive 'res judicata' by the previous judgment
must, on merits, and for reasons already stated, be found against
the plaintiff-respondent. We are definitely of the opinion that the
8
charges now sought to be relied upon as a fresh cause of action
are not covered by the pleadings or the issues on which the parties
wentto trial, that some of them are pure afterthoughts and should
not now be permitted to. be raised and that at any rate most of
them could and should have been put forward in the earlier suit
(0. S. No. 94 of 1088) and that not having been done the same C
are barred by 'res judicata' or principles analogous thereto. We
. accordingly hold, in agreement with the trial court, that it is no
. long~r open to the plaintiff-respondent to re-agitate the question
that the defendant appellant had 'ipso facto' become heretic or
alien or had gone out of the church and has in consequence lost
his status as a member of the Church or his office as a trustee." D
This Court has approved the conclusion of the District Court that
the suit was barred by res judicata and was founded on the same cause
of action as that of 0.S. No.2 of 1104. Finding of the District Court has
been affirmed by this Court. This Court found that M.D. Seminary meeting
26.12.1934 was properly held and the first defendant was validly E
appointed as the Malankara Metropolitan and as such became the ex
officio trustee of the church properties. The decree of the trial court ·
dismissing the suit was restored. It was found M.D. Seminary meeting
. adopted the Constitution on 26.12.1934.
EFFECT OF RECONCILIATION: F
20. During the pendency of the appeal in Samudayam Suit the .
then Patriarch issued a Kalpana dated 30. l l. I9S7 to settle all pending
disputes in the Malankara Church . .It was reciprocated by the Catholicos
group. On 9.12.19S8, the Patriarch issued a Kalpana dated 9.12.19S8
referred to in I99S judgment thus : G

"121. On 9-12-l 9S8, the Patriarch issued a Kalpana dated 9-12-
19S8 (Ex. A-19) stating inter alia:
"It is no secret that the disputes and dissensions that arose in
the Malankara Church prevailing for a period of SO years have in H
56 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A several ways weakened an,d deteriorated it. Although right from
the beginning several persons who loved the Church and devout
of God desired peace arid unity putting an end to the dissension,
they departed in sorrow without seeing the fulfilment of their desire.
We also were longing for peace in the Malankara Church and the
unity of the organs of the one body of the Church. We have
B
expressed this desire of ours very clearly in the apostolic
proclamation (reference is to the proclamation dated 11-11-1957)
we issued to you soon after our ascension on the Throne. This
desire of ours gained strength with all vigour day by day without
in any way slackened and the Lord God has been pleased to end
c the dissension through us. Glory be to him. To bring forth the
peace in the Malankara Church we hereby accept with pleasure
Mar Baselious Gheevarghese as Catholicose. Therefore we send
our hearty greetings ...."
(emphasis added)"
D
21. On 16.12.1958, the Catholics responded by issuing Kalpana
describing himself to be seated on the Throne of the East of Apostle St.
Thomas, and for the sake of peace, in the Church, accepted Moran Mar
Ignatius Yakub lII as Patriarch of Antioch and also accepted the
Metropolitans under Patriarch in Malankara subject to the provisions of
E the Constitution of 1934. It appears that there was truce meeting of
Bishops of both the groups. MalankaraAssociation meeting was held on
26.12.1958 and thereafter the group meeting was held. Synod meeting
was held on 21.2.1959. It was decided to send the copies of the
Constitution.to all the Parishioners with a direction to obey the same.
F Three dioceses were allotted to Metropolitans belonging to Patriarch
group. The Catholicos issued the Kalpana affirming the allotment of
dioceses on 25.2.1959. The Patriarch wrote a letter dated 8.4.1959,
referring to the judgment Moran Mar Basse/ios Catholicos (supra)
and mentioning that he had been accepted in accordance with the terms
of 1934 Constitution. However, such terms were not specified. The use
G of the expression 'holiness' with the name ofCatholicos was objected to
observing that this expression can be used only by the Patriarch and the
assertion of sitting at the Throne of St. Thomas is not acceptable. Without
his authority, Catholicos could not have assumed the administration of
the said churches.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 57
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

22. On 8.6.1959 the Catholicos replied to the Patriarch to the A
effect that the use of the expression 'holiness' was justified and the
claim of the Throne of St. Thomas is used not only by Patriarchs but
also by Metropolitans and Bishops alike and is also evident from the
Hudaya Canon and other books; Kalpana Ex. A-13 and A-14 reviving
the Catholicate referred to the "Tlirone" of St. Thomas in India,' and
B
thus, the expression 'the Throne of St. Thomas' is not a new thing, and
further the judgment of the Supreme Court had affirmed the 1934
Constitution.
However the Patriarch again objected to Catholicos on 16. 7.1960.
Correspondence went on between the Patriai'ch and Catholicos. On
22.5.1964 the Patriarch installed new Catholicos in India. A day before C
installation ofCatholicos, with respect to demarcation ofjurisdiction of
Catholicos, Malankara Synod resolved, that the Patriarch shall agree to.
continue the present system of sending priests to Arabian Gulf countries
from Malankara for ministering to the spiritual needs of the Malayali
Parishioners as Jong as Malayalis stayed there. It was also noted in D
Most Rev. P.M.A. Metropolitan & Ors. v. Moran Mar Marthoma &
Anr:, ( 1995) Supp. 4 SCC 286 referred to as the judgment of 1995 and
the various documents Ex. A-48, A-49, A-52, A-178, A-179 andA-189
that the new Managing Committee was elected for tt\e Malankara
Association composed of representatives of bOth the groups and duly
elected members took oath, affirming the 1934 <;:onstitution. It appears E
that up to 1972 things went on well and both the groups wholly subscribed
to the 1934 Constitution without any reservations.
1995 JUDGMENT AND ITS BACKGROUND:
23. In the year 1972 dispute again arose due to nomination of a F
delegate toMalankara Sabha by the Patriarch. The nomination implied
the exercise of active spiritual supremacy by the Patriarch the Malankara ·
Church, and his intervention in the temporal affairs of which was not
relished by the Catholicos and other members. Request was made on
l. 6.2.1972 by Catholicos and nine Metropolitans including the members
of the said Patriarch group not to send the delegate as it could disturb G
the peace and spread dissensions among the Malankara Church. The
Patriarch did not pay heed to it and wrote back thal he was not aware of
such Sabha or of the Malankara Association, and his delegate arrived in
Malankara and started ordaining priests and deacons which was objected
to by the Catholicos by writing a letter on 7.8.1973. H
58 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 24. The first defendant in C>S No.4 of 1979 (as would be referred
to hereinafter) was ordained as Metropolitan of the Evangelistic
Association of the East on 1.9.1973 by the Patriarch. In a series of
letters written between Patriarch and Catholicos each accusing the other
of several ecclesiastical violations, the Catholicos asserted that the
B Catholicate of the, E11st is autocephalous, which consecrates its own
Bishops and its own Morone; this autocephaly is a fact quite independent
of the name of their Throne; the autonomy exercised by the Catholicate
over Malankara has been well established that is why the Patriarch in
May, 1964 desired to delimit the geographical jurisdiction of the hierarchy.
In response thereto, Patriarch communicated several charges to the
C Catholicos on 30.1.1974 and required him to show cause. On 9.3.1974
the Catholicos replied stating that the Patriarch had no jurisdiction to
level charges against him or to ask for his explanation. On I0.1.1975 the
Patriarch suspended the Catholicos from his office until further orders.
On 22.5 .197 5 meeting ofMalankara Episcopal Synod was held reiterating
D the independent nature ofMalankara Church and disputing the authority
of the Patriarch. On 16.6.1975 the Universal Synod met at Damascus to
consider the charges against the Catholicos. Pursuant thereto, a bull of
excommunication was issued by the Patriarch excommunicating the
Catholicos from the Syrian Orthodox Church which led to filing of the
suit which was decided vide judgment of 1995. O.S. No.2 of I979 was
E filed bytheCatholicos challenging the authority of the Patriarch to ordain
Bishops and Metropolitans. 0.S. No.6of1979 was filed by the Catholicos
against the Patriarch pertaining to the ordaining of priests in certain
dioceses. 0.S. No.4 of 1979 was treated as the main suit. To reiterate,
same matters were decided in 1995 judgment. Prayer was made in the
main suit to declare the Malankara Church as episcopal in character. It
F
was also prayed that Malankara Church is not a union or federation of
autonomous church units and is governed in its administration by the
constitution of the Malankara Church. Further a declaration was also
sought that defendant Nos. I to 3 were not legally consecrated
Metropolitans ofthe Malankara Church and they had no right to ordain
G the priests or deacons; secondly, defendant Nos.4 to 8 were not legally
ordained priests or deacons of the Malankara Church. In the main suit
following reliefs were asked for as noted in para 145 of the judgment of
1995 and the same is extracted hereunder:
"145. It is relevant to notice the reliefs sought for in the suit.
H They are:
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 59
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

"A. To declare that the Malankara Church is episcopal in A
character and is not ,a union or federation of autonomous church
units and is governed in its administration by the constitution of
the Malankara Church;
·-
B. To declare that Defendants 1 to 3 are not competent to
ordain priests and deacons for Malankara Church; B
C. To declare that Defendants 1 to 3 are not legally
consecrated Metropolitans of the Malankara Church and
Defendants 4 to 8 are not legally ordained priests or deacons of
the Malankara Church;
(_
D. To declare that no Metropolitan, priest or deacon unless
validly ordained and appointed under the provisions of the
Constitution of the Malankara Church can officiate in any of the
churches or its institutions in the Malankara Church;~
E. To declare that any priest who refuses to recognise the D
authority of the first plaintiff and other Metropolitans under him is
not entitled to minister in any of the churches or its institutions in
Malankara;
F. To prohibit Defendants 1 to 3 by an order or permanent
injunction from ordaining priests or deacons or performing any E
other sacraments, service, etc. for the Malankara Church or its
institutions;
,.
G. To prohibit Defendant 4 onwards from performing any
religious service or sacraments whatsoever in or about any of the
church of Malankara ahd for the Malankara Church or its
F
constituent churches or institutions;
H. To prohibit the defendants from interfering in any manner
with the administration of the Malankara Church."
25. Learned Single Judge of the High Court dismissed the suits.
On appeal Division Bench of the Kerala High Court reversed the same G
and upheld the claim of the Catholicos group to a large extent. The main
suit had been decreed, as prayed for, against defendant Nos.1 to l 7
without costs and dismissed against defendant No.18 (Evangeli~al
Association of the East). With respect to Knanaya Samudayam the suit
had been decreed but with certain qualifications.
H
60 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 26. In 1995 judgment this Court has given the findings in para 148
and the same are extracted hereunder :
"148. The following facts, in our considered view, are of
fundamental significance. Once they are kept in view, it would be
unnecessary to go into many of the issues agitated before the
B learned Single Judge and the Division Bench of the High Court.
The fundamental facts which decide the fate of the main dispute
are:
(a) The Patriarch of Antioch was undoubtedly acknowledged
and recognised by all the members of the Malankara Church as
c the supreme head of their Church. In the year 1654, they took the
oath known as the "Koonan Cross Oath" reaffirming their loyalty
to the Syrian Orthodox Christian Church· headed by the Patriarch.
It was the Patriarch who convened the Mulanthuruthy Synod at
which the Malank11ra Syrian Christian Association was formed.
However, the authority of the Patriarch extended only to spiritual
D affairs - the Syrian Christians in Malankara believed in the
efficacy of' Kaivappu' (laying of hands by Patriarch on the head)
while consecrating the Metropolitan and considered it essential to
a proper ordaining - but not to the temporal affairs of the
Malankara Church as declared finally by the Travancore Royal
E Court of Final Appeal in the year 1889 in the Seminary suit. The
Royal Court declared that the authority of the Patriarch never
extended to temporal affairs of the Church which in that behalf
was an independent Church. The Royal Court further declared
that the Metropolitan of the Church in Travancore should be a
native of Malabar consecrated by the Patriarch or his duly
F authorised delegate and accepted by the people as their
Metropolitan, as decided by the Mulanthuruthy Syngd. This
declaration was affirmed by the Cochin Court of Appeal in the
Arthat suit in 1905.
(b) The revival ofCatholicate in 1912 by Patriarch Abdul
G Messiah made a qualitative change in the situation. Under Ex. A-
14, the Kalpana issued by the Patriarch Abdul Messiah, (which
document was produced in several earlier suits and whose
authenticity is not disputed by the Patriarch group before lis) and
A-13 which precedes A-14, empower the Catholicos to ordain
H Metropolitans and other officials of the Church in accordance
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 61
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

with the canons of the Church and also to consecrate holy Morone. A
A-14 ·states expressly that the power to instal a Catholicos on the
death of the incumbent is vested in the Metropolitans. It is in this
manner that the powers of ordaining Metropolitans and
melpattakars and consecrating holy Morone;which hitherto vested
in Patriarch, came to be vested in the Catholicos by the Patriarch
8
. himself. Further, the power to instal a Catholicos on the death or
disability of the incumbent was also vested in the Metropolitans
· of Malankara Church and it is in exercise of this power that on
· the death of the first C.atholicos installed by Patriarch Abdul
. Messiah in 1913, the second Catholicos Basselios Geevarghese I
.. (Mar Geevarghese Philexinos) was installed in the year 1924 by C
· the Malankara Synod without reference to the Patriarch. Again
in 1929, Basselios Oeevarghese II was elected as the third
Catholicos by the~Association and was installed as such. In the
M.D. Seminary meeting held on 26-12-1934 the third Catholicos
was elected as the Malankara Metropolitan, thus combining both
the posts in one person. In other words, the spiritual and temporal D
powers over the Malankara Ch~rch came to be concentrated in
one person. It may be that by this act of revival o(. C.atholicate
and the Kalpanas A-13 and A-14, the Patriar~h is not denuded of
the powers delegated by him to the Catholicos - assuming that
these powers were not already possessed by the Catholicos and E
that they ~ame to be conferred upon him only under A-13 and A-
14-yet, reasonably speaking, the Patriarch was, and is, expected
to exercise those powers thereafter in consultation with the
Catholicos and the Malankara Sabha (Assocjalion) --:: and, .of
course, in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. This was
necessary for the reason (i) to avoid creating parallel authorities F
1eading to conflict and confusion and (ii) the acceptance by the
local people was a sine qua non for any Metropolitan or
melpattakar in Malankara Church as provided in the Mularithuruthy
Synod (convened and presided over by the then Patriarch himself)
and given a judicial sanction by the judgment of the Travancore G
Royal Court of Appeal aforementioned•' Without removing the
Catholicos in accordance with the canon law and the principles of
natural justice, the Patriarch could not have purported to exercise
unilaterally the powers delegated by him to the Catholicos under
A-14.
H
62 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (c) It is significant to notice that the Catholicos-cum-Malankara
Metropolitan, Basselios Geevarghese II, was accepted and
recognised as the Catholicos by the Patriarch Yakub under his
Kalpana Ex. A-19 dated 9-12-1958. Basselios Geevarghese II
was elected as Catholicos by the local Metropolitans and installed
as such by the local melpattakars without reference to the Patriarch
B
and which Catholicos was all through fighting against the Patriarch
group in the Samudayam suit. It is no less significant that Patriarch
Yakub, who issued the KalpanaA-19, was, before his installation
as the Patriarch, the delegate of the Patriarch in India and was
prosecuting the Samudayam suit for a number of years. If so, it is
c reasonable to infer that when he accepted and recognised the
Catholicos as such under Ex. A-19, he did so with the full knowledge
that he was thereby recognising the Catholicos as revived by Abdul
Messiah in J912 under A-14 and as described and affirmed in the
1934 Constitution. Moreover, the Kalpanas A-19 and A-20 were
not issued in an abrupt fashion -they could not have been - but
D were preceded by a good amount of discussion and negotiations
between members of both the groups. Under his Kalpana Ex. A-
20 dated 16-12-1958, from the Catholicos to the Patriarch, the
Catholicos accepted the Patriarch subject to the Constitution passed
by the Malankara Association and as then in force. The
E Metropolitans ordained by Patriarch duly accepted the authority
ofCatholicos and participated in several proceedings. There was
reallotment of dioceses among the Metropolitans of both the
groups. The members of the erstwhile Patriarch group swore
loyalty to the 1934 Constitution. (These events have been detailed
hereinabove). After all these developments, and after a lapse of
F four months after A-20, the Patriarch raised an objection to the
use ofcertain expressions employed in Ex. A-20, viz., the Catholicos
claiming to be seated on the Throne of St. Thomas and also to the
qualification added by the Catholicos to his acceptance to the
Patriarch, viz., "subject to the constitution ... ". But even this
G objection which is reflected in the correspondence which passed
between them during the years J959 to 1962 (referred to supra)
must be deemed to have been given up and abandoned by the
Patriarch by his acts and declarations in the year 1964. As stated
supra, the Patriarch came to India pursuant to a canonical invitation
from the Malankara Synod and consecrated and duly installed the
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYR1AN 63
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

new Catholicos (Mar Ougen), who was elected by the Malankara A
Association in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. Before he
did so, the Patriarch took care to see thatthe respective territorial
jurisdictions of the Patriarchate and the Catholicate are duly defined
and demarcated. The Middle East which was supposed to be
hitherto under the jurisdiction of the Catholicos was excluded from
his jurisdiction confining his authority to India and East alone. B
27. This Court accepted the revival of the Catholicate on a
threadbare scrutiny of the recorded facts and held that it was no longer .
open to the Patriarch or his followers to contend that the revival of
Catholicate was not in accordance with the religious tenets' and' faith of
the Syrian Jacobite Christian Church, and tl}at the power of the Patriarch C
was reduced to a vanishing point due to revival of Catholicate. It was
ruled that the power and authority of the Catholicos was affirmed in
Kalpana A-13 and A-14 issued by the Pariarch and.was re-enforced
and enlarged in the 1934 Constitution. It was however noted that the
Catholic'os did at the same time not i·epudiate the spiritual supremacy of D
the Patriarch. It reaffirmed that he is the primate of the Orthodox Syrian
Church. This Court held thus:
"149. Now what do the above facts signify? Do they not show
that Patriarch had, by 1964, recognised and accepted the revival
of the CatholicateA-13,A-14 and the 1934 Constitution? Do they E
not show that the Patriarch had also given up his objections to the
use of the words "seated on the throne of St. Thomas in the East"
and to the "qualification" addeu by Catholicos in A-20? We think,
they do. Once this is so, it is no longer open to the Patriarch or his
followers to contend that the revival of Catholicate was not in
accordance with the religious tenets and faith of the. Syrian ~acobite F
Christian Church, that the Constitution of l 934 was not duly and
validly passed or that the power and authority of the Patriarch as
obtaining prior to 1912 remains and continues unaffected and
undiminished. In this connection, it is relevant to remind ourselves
that it was the contention of the Patriarch group in Vattipanam . G
suit that the Catholicos group had, by espousing the cause ofand
the revival ofCatholicate, reduced the power of the Patriarch to
a vanishing point and have thereby become aliens to the faith. :.\.
The power and authority of the Catholicos under A- l 3 andA- l 4
was affirmed, re-enforced and enlargedjn the 1934 Constitution
H

":
''
64 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (as amended in 1951) and yet under Ex. A-19 the Patriarch
accepted witp pleasure Mar Basselios Geevarghese as the
Catholicos. At the same time, it is equally s_ignificant to note that
the 1934 Constitution does not repudiate the Patriarch. On the
contrary, it reaffirms that he is the primate of the Orthodox Syrian
Church of which the Malankara Church is said to be a part -
B
though it is tme, all the effective powers exercised by the Patriarch
prior to 1912 were vested in the Catholicos under Ex. A-13 and
Ex. A-14."
28. It was also held that the submission of the Patriarch group
that the l 934 Constitution was not put forward by the Catholicos group
c as the basis of their claim in the Samudayam suit or their objection as to
validity of the Constitution was untenable as they cannot make a legitimate
grievance to all these. This Court laid down thus:
"150. In this view of the matter, the submissions of the Patriarch
group that the 1934 Constitution was not put forward by the
D Catholicos group as one of the bases of their claim in Samudayam
suit or that no finding as such was recorded by this Court in the
said suit regarding the validity of the Constitution are of little
consequence. We are not relying upon the rule of estoppel in this
behalf but are only pointing out that having conceded, recognised
E and affirmed all the above things, the Patriarch group cannot make
a legitimate grievance of these very things. They cannot be heard
to say so. Nor have they made any effort to explain the said acts
and conduct of the Patriarch and of the persons owing allegiance
to him. They must be deemed to have given up and abandoned all
their objections to the aforesaid events and documents."
F
29. With respect to the validity of the excommunication of the
Catholicos in the Vattipanam suit, it was held that it was not open to the
Patriarch to seek excommunication of the Catholicos on the charges
which were leveled; Kalpanas A-13 and A-14 specifically vested the
Catholicos with the power to consecrate Metropolitans and other officials
G of the Church and to consecrate Morone; A-14 empowered the
Metropolitans to elect their own Catholicos, and as such, the expression
"holiness" or the assertion of being seated at the Throne of St. Thomas
in the East or the claim that the Malankara Church was an autocephalus
church could be treated as hearsy. This Court also disapproved the act
H of the Patriarch of sending a delegate over the protestations of all the
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 65
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Metropolitans ofMalankara including those belonging to Patriarch group A
as totally uncalled for vis-a-vis the action of the delegate in ordaining
priests and the Patriarch himself ordaining the first. defendant in O.S.
-No.4of1979, this Court said that all this certainly could not have been
done unilaterally. It observed that it is one thing to say that the Patriarch
could do these things in cooperation with the Catholicos but the ordaining B
of the priests and Metropolitans by him and his delegate without reference
to - indeed over the protestations of the Catholicos - was certainly not
the right thing to do since it purported to create a parallel administrative
mechanism for the Church in spiritual and temporal matters. Therefore
this Court opined that the charges were not available as grounds of
excommunication and could not constitute valid grounds therefor. C
Accordingly it was held that excommunication of Catholicos was not
valid and legal. This Court has laid down thus: ·
"151. In the Vattipanam suit, the High Court found that of the
two versions ofHudaya Canon put forward by the Patriarch group
and Catholicos group, the version put forward by the Patriarch D
group (Ex. 18 in that suit) is the correct one. The very same
version was put forward by the Patriarch group as the true version
in the Seminary suit. Of course, at that time, both the groups
concerned herein were comprised in Patriarch group and were
fighting against the renegade group oJ_Mar Athanasius. It is really
pointless to go into the question whether the judgment in Vattipanam E
suit operates as resjudicata. Even ifit is assumed that it does not,
yet its value as a precedent - a finding arrived at by the High
Court after a full enquiry - cannot be denied. According to the
first judgment of the High Court, the Patriarch has the power to
excommunicate the Metropolitans. It does not say an)'thing about F
the power of the Patriarch to excommunicate Catholicos and if
so according to what procedure. We.have seen supra that while
gra~ting the review of the said judgment, the High Court specified
that three findings recorded by it in the judgment under review
should not be reopened. The three findings inter alia included the
finding relating to the authenticity of Ex. 18. According to the said G
version of the Hudaya Canon,_the Catholicos "shall act according ·
to the orders of (be subject to) the Patriarch of Antioch. He shall
not defy (act against) his superiors." It repeatedly says that the
-Catholicos is subject to the authority of Patriarch and that the
Patriarch is the "head or superior" of the Catholicos. Though the H
66 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (20 l 7] 9 S.C.R.

A canon does not say so, we shall proceed on the assumption for
the purpose of this case - without recording any finding to that
effect - that the Patriarch has the power to excommunicate the
Catholicos. Yet the question remains whether the grounds on which
the excommunication of the Catholicos has been effected are
valid and permissible grounds. A perusal of the charges
B
communicated to the Catholicos by the Patriarch in his letter dated
30-1-1974 makes it clear that charges related to the use of the
word 'Holiness' along with his name by the Catholicos, his assertion
of being "seated on the Throne of St. Thomas in the East" and his
assertion of "cordial relationship" with the Patriarch instead of
c admitting his subordinate - all objections which were raised by
Patriarch during the years 1959 to 1961 but given up and abandoned
in May 1964, as explained supra. It is also alleged that the
· Cathol)cos .did not accept the delegate sent by Patriarch to
Malankara and has also changed the oath administered to the
members of the Church wherein he substituted himself for the .
D Patriarch. The proceedings of the Malankara Association were
also cited as one of the charges. Having revived the Catholicos
with the powers under Exs. A-13 and 14 and having accepted (by
necessary implication) the Constitution of 1934 under his Kalpana
Ex. A-19 and having installed the Catholicos in 1964.
E notwithstanding his objections raised in his letters written during
the years 1959 to 1962, it was not open to the Patriarch to seek to
excommunicate the Catholicos on those very grounds. Ex. A-13
speaks ofThrone of St. Thomas. Ex. A-13 and Ex. A-14 specifically
vest the Catholicos with the power to consecrate Metropolitans
and other officials of the Church and to consecrate Morone. A-
F 14 empowers the Metropolitans to elect their own Catholicos. In
these circumstances, it is difficult to understand how could the
use of the expression 'Holiness' or the assertion of being seated
at the Throne of St. Thomas in the East or the claim that the
Malankara Church is an autocephalus church can be treated as
G heresy when the very Constitution by which the Catholicos and
his group were swearing affirmed in clear terms thatthe Patriarch
is the supreme head of the Malankara Church. As a matter of
fact, some of the charges in the letter dated 30-1-1974 can also
be termed as vague. For example, Charge No. 9 reads thus:

H
. ·. ·'
. .. . .
'

K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. Si PETER'S' & PAUL'S SYRIA~ 67
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.] .

"The books taught in the Sunday Schools there contain A
uncanonical and wrong teachings and fallacious historical facts
especially with a view to inject wrong ideas into the tender.
minds regarding the fundamentals and history of the Church."
The letter does not set out or refer to the alleged uncanonical
or wrong teachings and fallacious historical facts taught in the B
books in the Sunday Schools. Similarly, Charge No. 8 says that in
the ordinations administered by the Catholicos, the heretical two~
nature theory propounded by Pope Leo is not repudiated. lt is not
stated under what canonical law such an assertion is obligatory.
So far as the non-acceptance of the delegate sent by Patriarch is
concerned, it can hardly be considered to be a ground for .
excommunication. After all that has happened between 1912 and
1964, the sending of a delegate over the protestations of all the
Metropolitans ofMalankara including those belonging to Patriarch
group was totally uncalled for. The delegate started ordaining
priests here and the Patriarch himself ordained the first defendant D
in OS No. 4 of 1979. All this certainly could not have been done ·
unilaterally. It is one thing to say that the Patriarch could do these .·
things in cooperation with the Catholicos but the ordaining of the
priests and Metropolitans by him and his delegate without
reference to - indeed over the protestations of the Catholicos
- was certainly not the right thing to do since it purported to E
create a parallel administrative mechanism for the Church in
spiritual/temporal matters. We are. therefore, of the opinion that
the charges, at any rate the main charges, on which the·
excommunication is based were not available as grounds of
excommunication and could not constitute valid grounds therefor. · F
Accordingly, it is held that the excommunication ofCatholicos is
not valid and legal.
Plaintiffs' claim that Malankara Church is episcopal in character. ·
and not a union or federation of autonomous units" ·
30. Ultimately this Court found that the Catholicate was revived G
and re-established by Pariarch Abdul Messiah in the year 1912; the
powers and functions of the Catholicos are set out in KalpanaEx.A-14;.
the Patriarch cannot dispute the validity of revival of Catholicate or of
Ex. A-14; Patriarch himself has created a centre of power in India i.e.
Catii'olicate with the said powers, and it would be reasonable to hold that H
68 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A thereafter the Patriarch cannot exercise those powers unilaterally, i.e.
without reference to the Catholicos and that he can exercise those powers
only in consultation with the Catholicos. Moreover the person to be
appointed as Metropolitan or Malankara Metropolitan has to be accepted
by the people as held in Seminary Suit. This Court ruled that the Patriarch's
B power to ordain the Metropolitans now is subject to the ConStitution of
1934, and by revival ofCatholicate and by issuing the Kalpana Ex. A-14
and also by accepting the 1934 Constitution, though the power of the
Patriarch may have been reduced to a vanishing point, but all the same
he remains the supreme head of the Syrian Church of which the
Malankara Church is a division. The 1934 Constitution was approved at
c a validly convened meeting ofMalankara Association, and the Patriarch
cannot question its legality and validity in view of the acts and conduct
of the Patriarch and the members of his group subsequent to the judgment
of this Court in Moran Mar Basselios (supra). It was emphasized that
the Pariarch had accepted the validity of the revival ofCatholicate vide
Kalpana A-14 and the 1934 Constitution and abandoned and gave up all
0
or any objections they had in that behalf; several members of the group
including some of the defenda!ltS also accepted the Constitution and
took oath to abide by it, and therefore they cannot now turn around and
question the same. This Court also found that territorial jurisdiction of
Catholicate was duly defined in 1964 and was delimited by excluding
E certain areas in the Middle East from the jurisdiction of the Catholicos.
It was held that Mala.nkara Church is Episcopal to the extent it is so
declared in the 1934 Constitution. The said Constitution governs the affairs
of the Parish Churches and shall prevail. It was observed that due to
mutual bickering in the Patriarch and the Catholicos, it cannot be said
that Catholicos or his followers have become apostates or that they
F
have deviated from the tenets of the faith. Similarly Patriarch cannot be
said to have lost his spiritual supremacy in accordance with the 1934
Constitution. The common Samudayam properties held by the Malankara
Church are vested in Malankara Metropolitan as declared in the judgment
of i995 of this Court in Moran Mar Basselios (supra). This Court
a· summarized its conclusions thus :
"155. The result of the above discussion may be summarized
thus:
(J) The Vattipanam judgment has held that the version of
Hudaya Canon put forward by Patriarch group as Ex. 18 in the
H suit is the correct version and not the version put forward by the
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 69
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Catholicos group. However, in Samudayam suit, the District Judge A
, (trial court) accepted the version of Canon put forward by the
Catholicos group as against the version put forward by Patriarch
group. It is suggested by the learned counsel for the respondent
that this finding of the District Judge must be deemed to have
been restored by this Court in Moran Mar Basselios. It is really B
unnecessary for us to go into this question since it has lost all
significance in view, of the subsequent developments and their
effect, as accepted by us.
(2) The Catholicate was revived and re-established by
Patriarch Abdul Messiah in the year 1912. The powers and
functions of the Catholicos are set out in Ex. A-14. Moreover by · C
virtue of their acts and conduct subsequent to the judgment of this
Court (in Moran Mar Basselios), the defendants in the present
suit (i.e., the members of the Patriarch group) cannot now dispute
the validity of the revival of the Catholicate or of Ex. A-14.
(3) It may be that by conferring upon the Catholicos the powers D
of ordaining Metropolitans, consecrating Morone and to exercise
other spiritual powers over Malankara Church, the Patriarch may
not have denuded himself completely of the said powers which
he enjoyed until then. But in view of the fact that he had himself
created another centre of power in India· with the aforesaid- E
powers, it would be reasonable to hold that thereafter the Patriarch
cannot exercise those powers unilaterally, i.e., without reference
to the Catholicos. He can exercise those powers only in
consultation with the Catholicos. Moreover, the person to be
appointed as Metropolitan or Malankara Metropolitan has to be
accepted by the people as has been affirmed in the judgment in F
Seminary suit. The Patriarch's power to ordain the Metropolitans
now is subject to the Constitution of I934.
(4) It may be that by virtue of the revival of Cathoiicate and
by issuing the Kalpana Ex. A-14 ~and also by accepting the
1934 Constitution (as to be mentioned presently)-the power of G
the Patriarch may have been reduced to a vanishing point, but all
the same he remains the supreme head of the Syrian Church of
which the Malankara Church is a division. He is spiritually superior
to the Catholicos though he does not, and indeed never did, enjoy
any temporal powers over the Malankara Church or its properties. H
70 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (5) The 1934 Constitution was approved at a validly convened
meeting ofMalankara Association, which Association was created
by the Patriarch himself under the Resolutions ofMulanthuruthy
Synod. The defendants in the present suits (Patriarch group) cannot
question its legality and validity in view of the acts and conduct of
the Patriarch and the rnembers of his group subsequent to the
B
judgment of this Court in Moran Mar Basseliosl.
(6) Ex. A-19, Kalpana, was issued by Patriarch Yakub with
the full knowledge of revival of Catholicate, Ex. A-I 4 and the
1934 Constitution and the various claims and contentions of both
the parties put forward in Samudayam suit and the decision of
c this Court in Moran Mar Basseliosl. It must, therefore, be held
that the Patriarch has thereby accepted the validity of the revival
ofCatholicate Ex. A-14 and the 1934 Constitution, and abandoned
and gave up all or any objections they had in that behalf. Several
members of his group including some of the defendants also
D accepted the Constitution and took oath to abide by it. They cannot
now turn round and question the same.
(7) Though the Patriarch raised objections to the honorifics
(e.g., use of 'Holiness' with the name of the Catholicos and his
assertion that he was seated "on the Throne of St. Thomas in the
E East") and to the qualification added by the Catholicos in his
Kalpana Ex. A-20 (i.e. accepting the Patriarch subject to the
Constitution), the Patriarch must be deemed to have given up and
abandoned all those objections when he came to India, pursuant
to a canonical invitation from the Malankara Synod and installed
and consecrated the new Catholicos on 22-5-1964. lt is also worth
F noticing that a day before such installation/consecration, the
Patriarch took care to have the territorial jurisdiction ofCatholicate
duly defined and qelimited by excluding certain areas in the Middle
East from the jurisdiction of the Catholicos.
(8) So far as the declaration of the Malankara Church being
G Episcopal in character is concerned, all we need hold is that it is
episcopal to the extent it is so declared in the 1934 Constitution.
The said Constitution also governs the affairs of the Parish
Churches and shall prevail.
(9) The excommunication of Catholicos by the Patriarch and/
H or by the Universal Synod is invalid for the reason that the grounds/
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 71
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA; J.]

charges on which the excommunication has been effected are A
not permissible. or relevant grounds. The denial of Patriarch's
spiritual authority by the Catholicos and his group and similarly
the Patriarch's refusal to recognise the Catholicos or the 1934
Constitution in the correspondence that passed during the years
1972 to 1975 are attributable to the personal differences and the B
mutual bickering between the two dignitaries and their respective
groups. On that basis, it can neither be said that the Catholicos or
his followers have become apostates or that they have deviated
from the tenets of the faith. Similarly, Patriarch cannot be said to
have lost his spiritual supremacy over the Malankara Church (on
account of his accusations and declarations) which he enjoyed C
prior to the commencement of the said correspondence, i.e.,
according to the 1934 Constitution.
(JO) The common properties (Samudayam properties) held by
the Malankara Church are vested in Malankara Metropolitan and
others as declared in the judgment of this Court in Moran Mar D
Basselios."
31. This Court also issued certain directions for amendment of
the Constitution and the Constitution was accordingly amended, as
approved by this Court. It was also observed by this Court that election
to Malankara Church shall have to be held so as to keep its character E
alive and effective. At the same time the majority opinion expressed in
the 1995 judgment, that no declaration could be granted affecting the
rights of Parish Churches in their absence nor could it be declared that
the properties held by Malankara Parish Churches vests in the Catholicos
or the Malankara Metropolitan or the Metropolitan of the diocese
concerned, as the case may be. However this Court also observed that F
the 1934 Constitution shall govern and. regulate the affairs of Parish
Churches too insofar as the said Constitution provides for the same.
32. This Court also observed that with respect to spiritual control,
Church was episcopal and there was no difficulty in holding that
Catholicos and the Malankara Metropolitan have spiritual control over G
the Parish Churches, but if it means conrol over temporal affairs of, or
title to or control over the properties of the Parish Churches beyond
what is provided for in the Constitution, a declaration to that effect can
be obtained only after hearing and in the presence of Parish Churches
concerned. H
72 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A AMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION AS PER 1995
JUDGMENT:
33. This Court directed the amendment of Section 68 for the
democratic functioning of the Malankara Church. Sections 46 and 71
had been inserted to bring about proportional representation based on
B the size of congregation of each Parish Church. This Court also observed
that the Association so elected shall be the Association for all purposes
within the meaning of and for the purposes of the 1934 Constitution, as
amended from time to time.
34. Amendment proposals were considered by this Court in Most
c Rev. P.M.A. Metropolitan & Ors. v. Moran Mar Marthoma Mathew,~
& Am: (1996) 8 SCC 470. This Court permitted the amendment and
directed substitution of Section 68 corresponding to Section 71 and also
directed that the election shall take place within three months on the
basis of Articles 71 and 46 as amended. This Court further directed
status quo to be maintained until the new Managing Committee was
D elected.
AMENDMENT OF DECREE OF 1995:
35. Subsequently the matter came up again before this Court
pursuant to the 1995 judgment and a revised decree was passed in Most
E Rev. P.M.A. Metropolitan (supra). This Court directed certain
modifications in paras 2, 3 and 4. However in paras 2, 3, 6 and 7, this
Court inserted before the last sentence "The above direction is subject
to the condition that any and every person claiming to hold any office or
post in this church shall be bound by and shall swear allegiance to the
1934 Constitution." This Court held thus:
F
"5. The decree shall then say that the decree passed by the High
Court (decree under appeal) shall stand modified to the extent
indicated above.
PART II
G 6. In Part U of the order dated 25-3-1996, the following sentence
shall be inserted before the last sentence: "The above direction is
subject to the condition that any and everv person claiming to hold
any office or post in this church shall be bound by and shall swear
allegiance to the 1934 Constitution."
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 73
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

PARTIH A
7. In Part I of the order dated 25-3-1996, we had directed that
Articles 71 and 46, as drafted by us shall stand substituted in the
place of the existing Articles 71 and 46 in the 1934 Constitution
with effect from the date of the said order. In Articles 71 and 46,
which were directed to be so substituted, an error has crept in. B
Instead of mentioning "members of the Parish Assembly", the
word "families" is used. We, therefore, direct that wherever the c

word "family" or "families" occur in the said two articles, as drafted
by us, they shall be substituted by the words "member" or
"members'', as the case may be. It is made clear that when we
speak of the "members" in the said articles, we refer to members
c
as contemplated by and as mentioned in clause (7) of the 1934
Constitution (which deals with Parish Church and Parish
Assembly).
8. The fi'rstproviso in Article 71 is deleted.
D
PART IV
9. In view of the aforementioned controversies, it is submitted by
the counsel for the parties; no elections could so far be held as
contemplated and directed by the judgment of this Court. In Part
I of the order dated 25-3-19961, it was directed by this Court that E
the election of members of the Association and the Diocesan
Assemblies shall take place within three months therefrom on the
basis of the amended/substituted Articles 71 and 46. The time for
conducting the said elections is extended up to and inclusive of
30-4-1997."
F
(Emphasis added by us)
This Court also extended time to hold elections till 30.4.1997.
IMPLEMENTATION OF 1995 JUDGMENT:
36. C.M.P. No.2079of1997 was filed in A.S. No.331 of 1980 in
execution proceedings before the Kerala High Court. The Catholicos G
group claimed that elections had already been held and hence the
execution was completed. The fact was, however, disputed by Patriarch
group. Kerala High Court did not go into the question whether the decree
sfood complied with by holding elections. However it concluded that
H
74 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Moran Mar Thoma Mathews of the Cathol icos group had not been elected
as the Malankara Metropolitan. The matter was taken up to this Court
in C.A. No. 8185 of200 I in which the order passed by the Kerala High
Court was questioned and by consent order dated 28.11.200 l, this Court
set aside the Kerala High Court judgment dated 6.4.200 I and directed
fresh elections to be conducted to the Malankara Association under the
B
supervision of Justice V.S. Malimath, retired Chief Justice of Kerala
High Court.
37. In C.A. No.8185 of 2001 further order was passed on
12.7 .2002 in which this Court observed that the Association so elected
pursuant to the judgment dated 20.6.1995 and the consent order dated
C 28.11.2001 shall be the Association for all purposes within the meaning
of and for the purpose of the 1934 Constitution, as amended. The
MalankaraAssociation as constituted by the order of this Court having
decided vide majority that Moran Mar Baselious Mar Thoma Mathews
II is the Malankara Metropolitan, this decision is final and binding and
D not subject to challenge in any court or other forum.
38. The Patriarch group was still not satisfied. The Patriarch
faction tried to form its own Constitution and the same was registered
on 15.7.2002 with retrospective effect from 5.7.2002. As this Court had
passed the orders on 12. 7.2002 the Patriarch then proceeded to
E consecrate his own Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicos, and they
abstained from participating in the elections held as per the orders of this
Court pursuant to the 1995 judgment.
PRESENT CONTROVERSY - KOLENCHERRY CHURCH
39. Civil SuitNo.43 of2006 relating to Kolencherry Church had
F been filed under Order l Rule 8 and sections 26 and 92 of the Civil
Procedure Code, 1908 (for short, "the CPC") by K.S. Varghese and
two others. Defendant No.! being St. Peters' and St. Pauls' Syrian
Orthodox Church, Kolencherry Church and l l other defendants. Prayer
had been made to declare that D-1 Church, its assets including the
G educational institutions are liable to be administered only in accordance
with the terms of the Udampady dated 13.12.1913. Other reliefs were
also sought as per the plaint, viz., to settle a scheme for the administration;
to appoint a court receiver; and to conduct elections to the Managing
Committee. In the plaint it was averred that defendant No. I is a Parish
Church established by Jacobite Christian Community at Kolencherry.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 75
ORTH: & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

There are two factions -the Orthodox faction and the Patriarch faction. A
Defendant No.2 is a Vicar of the Patriarch faction. Defendant No.3 is
the priest offering services on behalf of the Orthodox faction. Plaintiffs
and defendant Nos.2, 5 and 7 belong to the Patriarch faction and other
defendants belong to the Catholicos faction. On 13.12.1913 Udampady
was executed regarding the manner in which its affairs are to be B
administered, to which five priests and 15 lay trustees were paities in
which specific provisions for the priests to render services in turns and
the trustees to administer the assets of the Church were made. The
Church was being administered as per the 1913 Udampady. As the
factional fights in the Church erupted, O.S. No.19 of 1980 was filed by
the Orthodox faction under section 92 CPC. An Advocate-Receiver C
was appointed to manage the assets of the Church. Suit was dismissed
vide judgment dated 27.f 1997. The judgment directed the said Receiver
appointed to hand over possession of the assets to the survivors among
the defendants to that case. The first plaintiff l;lnd defendant Nos.4 to 9
were also parties to the said suit. Other members of the Committee in
D
1980 were also parties. The Receiver handed over the keys of the Church
to first pl.aintiff and the first defendant in the said 0.S. Thereafter, the
services of the Church were being conducted by the priests in turns of
the two factions. The orthodox faction had two priests conducting services
for two successive weeks. Father E.P. Zacharia was performing the
services on behalf of the Patriarch faction. While so, Father E.P. Zacharia E
was transferred by the Metropolitan of the Orthodox faction which
resulted into protests from the Patriarch faction. Du·e to law and order
problems the Church was closed by.the Executive Magistrate, I" Class.
Moovattupuzha.
40. The Church remained closed from the year 1998. However,. F
later on Church was opened during day time and the priests of the two
factions were conducting services at their usual turns. When the first
defendant Church was 1mder closure, separate prayer centres were
established by the two factions. Writ petition was filed in 2005 in which
High Court of Kerala passed order on 9.12.2005 that the S.D.M. shall
return the keys of the Church to Fr. M.V. Abraham. In writ app(;)al, G
Division Bench on 8.12.2006 directed that the keys of the Church will
remain with S_.D.M. for 15 days, thereafter, matter to abide by the orders
of the civil court; parties may approach the civil court within 15 days to
obtain further orders.
H
76 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Thus the plaintiffs averred that the affairs are to be managed as
per Udampady dated 13.12.1913 which is a registered document. There
had been no fresh elections to the Managing Committee of the Church
for the last several years. There is no administration of the assets to the
Church. Income was also not properly collected, accounted, preserved
or utilsed. One set of keys is with the plaintiff and the other set of keys
8
could be with the Orthodox faction. There is an approved Constitution
for management of the educational institutions. The first defendant
Church has about 2500 families and 10,000 Parish members on its
membership. O.S. No.30 of J997 which was filed was dismissed on
14.6.2005. It was observed that two parties were claiming to be governed
C by different Constitutions i.e. Catholicos by 1934 Constitution and
Patriarch by 2002 Constitution and such a dispute can be settled by
calling upon general body meeting of the entire Parishioners. It was
further averred that the defendant Church had not accepted the l 934
Constitution. It is governed by Udampady of 1913. Defendants 3, 10
and l 1 were trying to obtain the keys as to when the suit was filed.
D
41. Defendant Nos. I, 3 and 9 in their written statement contended
that the first defendant is a Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church founded
centuries ago. The origin and establishment of the Church is in obscurity.
The Church was initially administered under an Udampady registered in
1913 AD. Thereafter, MalankaraAssociation framed the Constitution in
E 1934. Thus, Udampady of 1913 ceased to exist by virtue of Section 132
of the 1934 Constitution which provides that provisions in Udampadi
inconsistent with the provisions of said Constitution shall be void. After
promulgation of the 1934 Constitution, D-1 Church is being administered
in accordance with the provisions of the 1934 Constitution. After the
f decision of the Supreme Court in 1958, peace and tranquility prevailed in
Church. In pursuance of Kalpana No.20 of 59 dated 20.2.1959 of the
Diocesan Metropolitan, the Annual General Meeting held on 8.3.1959,
was presided over by Augen MarThimothiose, in which Parish Church
Assembly linanimously resolved to adopt and accept the 1934 Constitution.
After the decision ofthe Parish Assembly dated 8.3 .1959 the D-1 Church,
G its assets and educational institutions are being administered under the
1934 Constitution as is evident from the Pothuyogam Dairy of the Church.
In the Annual General Meeting of Parish Assembly dated 16.12.1973,
15 members were elected to the Managing Committee in accordance
with the 1934 Constitution. Parish Assembly also sent the representatives
H of the Church to the Malankara Association. In 1974 again dispute arose
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 77
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

which led to filing of the suits. One such suit being O.S. No. I 9of1980. A
Subseqliently, two Parishioners of first defendant Church filed O.S. No.31
of 1998 against Fr. E.P. Zacharia. This Court held in 1998 that first
defendant is a constituent of Malankara Church and is administered
under the 1934 Constitution, and the Diocesan Metropolitan was
competent to transfer the priest and issued an interim order of temporary
8
injunction which was affirmed by the High Court in appeal and by this
Court on 12.7.2000. Later Fr. M.V. Abraham was appointed as Vicar of
the D l Church by the Diocesan Metropolitan.
42. The fi~st defendant Church is a· constituent Church of
Malankara Church governed af!d administered under the 1934
Constitution. This Court in the 1995 judgment has upheld the validity of C
the 1934 Constitution and declared all the Parish Churches ofMalankara
Church to be episcopal and are to be governed by tlw 1934 Constitution, ·
due to which proceedings under section 144(1) Cr. PC were resorted to.
On 11.7.2005 Church was closed down by the S.D.M. The keys were
ordered to be returned to Fr. M. V. Abraham. In writ appeal, the Division D
Bench dismissed the appeal as withdrawn but at the same time directed
that the civil court may decide the custody of the keys in the suit to be
filed within 15 days from the date of the order. The Annual General
Meeting of first defendant Church was periodically held from 2008 to
20 l 0 and the Committee so elected was continuing with the administration
of the Church. Church was under management of the trustees and the E
Committees so elected. Prof. T.P. Peter and Sri Paul Mathai were the
lay trustees. There was proper administration and management of the
Church. It was not the big Trust of religious nature but was established
to meet the religious needs of the faithfuls of the Malankara Orthodox
Syrian Christian community. The plaintiffs have deviated from Malankara F
Orthodox Syrian faith for which the Church was established arid formed
a new Sabha called Yakobava Suriyani Christian Association in the year
2002. They have no right or authority to interfere in the temporal and
ecclesiastical affairs of the Church, D-1. It was true that two priests of
two factions were conducting services in turns by way .of interim
arrangement. First defendant is in possession of the keys as per order G
dated 2.10.20 I 0 passed by the trial court.
•.,,
43. Another written statement was filed by defendant NosJ, 2
and 5 supporting the Patriarch states that it was governed as per the .
Udampady and not by the 1934 Constitution. Additional written statement
H
78 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A was also filed by additional defendants 13 and 15 supporting the plaintiff.
It was contended that the religious services in the church can only be
performed by those religious dignitaries who accept the supreme spiritual
headship of his holiness of Patriarch ofAntioch. Church was subservient
to the ecclesiastical supremacy of the Patriarch of Antioch and governed
by the Udampady and not by the 1934 Constitution. Additional written
B
statement had been filed by defendant Nos. I, 3 and 9 resisting the claim.
Defendant Nos.13 and 15 also have prayed that referendum be held to
asce1tain the allegiance of the Parishioners of the Church and for
declaration that the Parish Church and its assets are to be governed
according to the faith and will professed by the majority of the
c Parishioners. A decree be passed that the Church and its assets are to
be administered as per the decision of majority of the Parishioners and
to restrain the third defendant, his men or agents and the religious
dignitaries who have not accepted the spiritual supremacy of Patriarch
of Antioch. Additional written statement was filed by defendant Nos. I,
3 and 9 resisting the counter claim raised by defendant Nos.13 and 15.
0
In their written statement they re-asserted the supremacy of the 1934
Constitution and submitted that the counter claim be rejected.
VARIKOLI CHURCH CASE:
44. O.S. No. I 0 of 2003 was filed by Mathai Varghese and nine
E others in the District Court, Ernakulam as against I 0 orthodox Churches.
St. Mary's 01thodox Church, Varikoli, defendant Nos. I and 9 others. It
was also a representative suit under Order I Rule 8 and under section 92
of the CPC. It was averred that defendant No. I Church is under
Kundanadu Diocese and is a public trust. It is for the benefit of
innumerable Parishioners. Defendant Nos.2 to 4 are claiming to be
F trustees and Vicar of said D-1 Church. Parishioners are too many and
thus the suit was instituted in a representative capacity under Order I
Rule 8 CPC. Plaintiffs averred that administration and management of
the D1 Church has to be carried out as per the provisions of the 1934
Constitution as held by the Supreme Court in the 1995 judgment. It has
G also held that whatever be the status of the parties, whether he is a
Catholicos, Bishop, priest, trustee or Parishioner, he shall swear allegiance
to the 1934 Constitution to get the benefit of status quo ordered by it.
Kandandu Diocese Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius, being the Metropolitan
of the Kandandu Diocese including the DI Church and has been
discharging all the functions of the Diocesan Metropolitan in respectof
H
K. S. VARGHESE & 9RS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 79
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

all Churches including D-1 Church falling under the Diocese. The Vicars A
including the fourth defendant were appointed by said Diocesan
Metropolitan in accordance with Section 40 of the 1934 Constitution.
Elections to the Managing Committee were held on 20.3.2002 and was
affirmed by the Supreme Court. After bifurcation of the Diocese into
East and West, fresh Kalpan!l 58/2002 was issued confirming the B
appointment of fourth defendant as Vicar of D" 1 Church. Defendants
2 and 3 were claiming to be trustees of first defendant Church. They
were elected as trustees for a period of one year only by the Pothuyogam
dated 17. l.1999. Thereafter, no Pothuyogam had been convened. No
other appointment was extended further by the Diocesan Metropolitan.
As per Article 12 of 1934 Constitution, fourth defendant Vicar had to C
call for Pothuyogam in respect ofD I Church which has to be convened
.twice every year. The Secretary, trustee and.managing committee
members were ·elected as per Section 17 for a period of one year so as
to write and keep the minutes of the Church and get signatures of
Diocesan MetropQlitan. Accounts have to be maintained and submitted. D
Defendant No.4 was asked to take steps for'conducting Pothuyoga':11.
45. The Defendants have taken a position that they were not
bound to obey decision of the apex Court as well as the 1934 Constitution.
Defendants 2 and 3 have no right or authority to claim as trustees of the
first defendant Church. As per the 1934 Constitution Vicar had been
appointed by Diocesan Metropolitan and was conducting religious E
ceremonies in the D-1 Church. Cause of action arose on 20.1.2000 when
the term of the defendant expired as per the decree and declaration, that·-
D-1 Church was governed by the 1934 Constitution as 'llpheld by the
Supreme Court and that D-2 and D-3 havt1 no right or authority to claim
as trustees ofD-1 Church. Permanent prohibitory injunction was claimed F
against D-2 and D-3, their men or agents or anybody claiming under
them from bringing any Vicar/priest for conducting religious ceremonies
who ar~ not appointed by the Diocese Metropolitan in accordance with
the 1934 Constitution. Prayer was also made to restrain such persons
from conducting religious ceremonies in D-1 Church andthe cemetery G
. attached thereto; D-2 and D-3 be restrained from beingtrustees ofD-1
Church. A decree of mandatory injunction to direct D-4 .was prayed for
to call for an immediate Pothuyogam of D-1 Church and to conduct
elections of new Managing Committee including trustees and other office
bearers in accordance with the 1934 Constitution. ·
H
80 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 46. In the written statement filed by defendant Nos. I to 3 it was
contended that D-1 Church is not a Church constituent of Malankara
Orthodox Church. Suit is not maintainable. The Church was established
in 1928 by the people of the locality for the religious worship as per
Jacobite faith and traditions. They are always loyal to the Patriarch of
B Antioch and believe in the Apostlolic succession of St. Peter Thomas
through Patriarch ofAntioch. The Church and its Parishioners ever since
its establishment had only accepted and approved the hierarchy of priests
ordained or loyal to the Patriarch of Antioch which is their fundamental
faith. Church is not governed by the 1934 Constitution. Meeting dated
30.6.2002 adopted the 2002 Constitution ofJacobite Syrian Christian
C Church and D-1 Church as a member of the Jacobite Syrian Christian
Association. The Church and the Parishioners have the freedom to adopt
the 2002 Constitution in view of Articles 19 (I)( c), 25 and 26 of the
Constitution of India. The plaintiffs or the fourth defendant have no
authority or right to question 'the decisions and resulutions of the Parish
D Assembly dated 30.6.2002. The 1995 judgment has no relevance to the
administration of the Church in the light of adoption of the 2002
Constitution. Since the 41h defendant had deviated from the fundamental
faith of the Church the present Diocesan Metropolitan of the Jacobite
Church H.G. Kuriakose Mar Divascorous as per his Kalpana No.KND
35 of2003 removed him from the post and appointed Fr. Thomas Murikkal
E as Vicar of the Church. Defendant Nos.2 and 3 were elected as trustees
on 17.1.1999 but the annual General Body Meeting of the Church on
9.2.2003 elected new trustees namely P.A. George Padiyil and Paul
Varghese Keelppillil. They were not imp leaded in the suit, thus it suffered
from non-joinder of necessary parties. Since defendant No.4 had
abdicated the faith, he could not continue as Vicar of the Church.
F Membership of the Church is open to those who are obedient and loyal
to the Holy Throne ofAntioch. The Church is not governed by the 1934
Constitution. The Church or the Parishioners have no right or authority
to deviate from the fundamental faith of Jacobite Syrian Community.
There is no cause ofaction for the suit. Additional written statement has
G also been filed by defendant Nos. I to 3. Contentions raised in paragraph
6A of plaint were denied. The trustees and Vicar working at the time of
filing the amendment application have not been impleaded. The other
defendant Nos.6 to I0 also filed their separate written statements. They
have supported the stand taken by defendant Nos. I to 3. Defendant
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 81
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

No.5 endorsed in the aforesaid written statement dated 30.11.20 I0 as A
he could not sign it when it was filed being away in the USA.
IN RE: MANNATHUR CHURCH
47. With respect to St. George Jacobite Syrian Church at
Marinathur, 0.S. No.41 of2003 was filed by Ouseph Cheriyan and two
others, as against D-1 Church and 25 others in the form of a representative B
suit. Plaintiffs were the Parishioners belonging to the Catholicos faction.
They have relied upon the 1995 judgment of the Constitution of 1934.
Father Elias was appointed as Vicar of the Church and had been
discharging the duties ofD"l Church. D-3, D-4 and D-5 were claiming
to be trustees and Secretary respectively of the Church. Suit O.S. No.16 c.
of 1977 was filed before the l" Additional District Court, Ernakulam
with respect to D-1 Church. The Court vide judgment and decree dated
27.9.1996 held thatthe D-1 Church is governed and administered by the
1934 Constitution. Thereafter OS No.ll/1997 was filed which was
dismissed for want of compliance under section 92 CPC. Other averments
were more or less the same as in the aforesaid case. As Pothuyogam D
was not called, it became necessary to file suit. Declaration was prayed
that defendant Nos.3 to 5 have no right or authority to claim the status of
trustees and Secretary and be removed from the posts of D-1 Church.
Declaration also be granted that Vicar of the 1934 Constitution have
right to conduct "holiness". Declaration be granted as well that E
Parishioners who do not give written oath of allegiance to the 1934
Constitution, have no right to continue as Parishioners of D-1 Church.
Permanent prohibitory injunction was sought against D-4 and D-5 from
functioning as tmstees and Secretary ofthe Church. Mandatory injunction
to call for Pothuyogam for holding elections as per the 1934 Constitution
was also prayed. F

48. Defendant Nos. I, 3, 4 and 5 contended that D-1 Church was
governed by the Udampady of 1890 registered with SRO, Muvattupuzha.
They are not governed by the 1934 Constitution. An Association was
convened on 20.3.2002 and Yacobaya Suriyani Christiyani Sabha
promulgated the Constitution in the year 2002. The Patriarch faction G
association never participated .in the elections held as per the L995
judgment. Pothuyogam was held on 30.3 .2003 in tune with the Udampady
of 1890. Other similar pleas as in the aforesaid case have been raised.
There was excommunication of Metropolitan Dr. Thomas Mar
H
82 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Athanasious. First defendant Church never accepted the 1934
Constitution. Defendant Nos. 7 to 27 also filed their additional written
statements. A.S. No.176 of 2002 was pending, the suit was not
maintainable. They also relied upon Udampady of 1890 and 2002
Constitution.
B 49. The High Court vide judgment and decree dated 4.J 0.2013
dismissed RFA Nos.589 and 655 of 20 l I arising out of OS No.43 of
2006 filed by the appellants. Review petition filed before the High Court
was dismissed vide order dated 11.4.20 l 4. The appeals arising therefrom
are CA Nos.3682 of2015 and 3683 of2015. The High Court has upheld
the judgment of the trial court dismissing the suit filed by the plaintiff and
C the counter claim filed by defendants 13 and 15. It has been held that the
1934 Constitution is binding and Udampady of 1913 cannot be enforced.
The High Court has found that from 1959 to 1973 there was total unity
among the two factions of the Church. The 1934 Constitution has been
accepted by the Church in the meeting dated 8.3.1959. The High Court
D has also found that the Parish Churches are constituent units ofMalankara
Church. They have a fair degree of autonomy subject to supervisory
powers vested in the Managing Committee of the Malankara Association
as per the 1934 Constitution which is binding on the Malankara
Association, Community, Diocese as well as Parish Churches and
Parishioners.
E
50. In C.A. Nos.8789 of2015 & 8790 of2015 Varikoli Church
matters arise out of OS No.IO of2003. The trial court has found that the
Church is to be administered as per the 1934 Constitution and only the
Vicars and priests a,Jpointed under the 1934 Constitution can conduct
the ceremonies in the Church. The trial court dismissed the suit on the
F ground that there were two factions of the Parishioners and as the D-1
Church and the plaintiff did not recognize the Patriarch of Antioch as
the supreme religious head ofMalankara Church in whom many of the
Parishioners reposed faith therefore they were not entitled to the
discretionary relief prayed for in the suit. The High Court vide impugned
G judgment and decree dated 21.8.2015 has reversed the judgment and
decree of the trial court, allowing the appeal and the suit has been decreed,
that the D-1 Church is governed by the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara
Church and that only Vicars and priests appointed in accordance with
the 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Church are competent to conduct
religious services in the D-1 Church. Permanent prohibitory injunction
H
...

K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 83
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

has also been granted in favour of the plaintiff restraining the defendants A
and their supporters from causing obstruction to the continuation of
religious ceremonies in the Church by Vicars and priests appointed in
accordance with the 1934 Constitution. Mandatory injunction has been
granted, directing 4'h respondent; the Vicar of the Church to convene
fresh Parish Assembly to elect Managing Committee including Trustees B
and Secretary of the Church in accordance with the .I 934 Constitution.
Aggrieved thereby the appeals have been preferred.
51. With respect to Church at Mannathur, the trial court has passed
similar decree as passed by the High Court in the Varikoli Church matter,
upholding 1934 Constitution and similar directions have been issued. The
High Court has affirmed the judgment and decree of the trial court hence C
the four civil appeals have been preferred arising out of S.L.P; [C]
Nos.35599 of2015, 28797 of2015, 35211 of2015 and C.C. No.22129 of
20 I5 which arise out ofR.F.A. No.320of2014 and 0.S. No.41 of2003.
SUBMISSIONS ON BEHALF OF APPELLANTS:
D
52. Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf
of appellants has urged in Varikoli Church matter various submissions.
I. First one centering around whether the Church is governed by the
1934 Constitution; whether Vicar to be appointed in accordance therewith
is entitled to perform the religious functions/ceremonies in the Church; E
whether elections to the Managing Committee is required to take place
· in accordance witfi the 1934 Constitution? It was submitted by learned
senior counsel that the 1995 judgment is not binding upon the appellant-
Church. The appointment of Vicar is not to be governed by the 1934
Constitution. He has referred to historical backgr~und noted by this Court
in the 1995 judgment. The main contention was that the 1995 judgment F
is not binding upon the appellants as this Court has declined to grant any
declaration affecting the rights of Parish Churches in their absence nor
was it declared in their absence that the properties held by Malankara
Parish Churches vested in Catholicos. Aforesaid finding recorded in Para
I54 of the 1995 judgment has been relied upon. He further submitted G
that the conclusions arrived in para l 55(8) of the 1995 judgment has to
be gauged in the light of the decision in Bhikhi Lal v. Tribeni AIR 1965
SC 1935 and Manakchand v. Manoharlal AIR 1994 PC 46. The
spiritual aspect was predominant in the aforesaid suit which was required
to be decided in the presence of the Parishioners.
H
84 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

·A A declaration granted under seciion 35 of the Specific Relief Act.
1963 binds only the parties and the appellants were not parties to the
1995 judgment. In the light of decision in Razia Begum v. Sahebzadi
Anwar Begum ( 1959) SCR 1111 the declaration acts only in personam
thus cannot bind the other parties. It was further urged that the dispute
B as to faith and worship in Church have to be decided in their presence if
the decision is to bind the Parishioners, irrespective of the dispute as to
the person entitled to be in charge of administration of the Church. The
beneficiaries are the worshippers as held in Deoki Nandan v.
Muralidhar ( 1956) SCR 756. In Veruareddi Ramaraghava Reddy v.
Konduru Seshu Reddy ( 1966) Supp. SCR 270 and Bishwanath v. Shri
C Thakur Radhaballabhji (1967) 2 SCR 618 the said principle has been
reiterated and in the latter decision it has been observed that the persons
who go only for the purpose of devotion have .... a greater and deeper
interest in temples than mere servants who serve there for some pecuniary
advantage. Though the cases are of Hindu religion the principle is one of
law applicable to all religious institutions of a public character.
0
It was further urged by learned senior counsel that as impleadment
of Parish Churches was opposed in the suit resulting in 1995 judgment,
plaintiffs who opposed the application thus must suffer the consequences.
Suits against Simhasana Churches and Evangelistic Association were
dismissed by the trial court as they were impleaded as parties which
E was confirmed by this Court. With respect to Knanaya Church, this
Court has observed that when a particular people say that they believe
in the spiritual superiority of the Patriarch and that it is an article of faith
with them, the Court cannot say "no; your spiritual superior is the
Catholicos ". The guarantee of Article 25 of the Constitution has also
F got to be kept in view. The aforesaid observations made in para 151 of
the judgment of 1995 of this Court have been relied upon. Thus, it is
open to a Parish Church with majority to claim that their spiritual superior
is Patriarch or Catholicos as the case may be. No particular canon can
be followed. In case it is held on the basis of 1995 judgment then 1934
Constitution is binding on Parish Churches even in their absence as
G parties, it would amount to violation of principles of natural justice. In
this regard learned senior counsel has relied upon John v. Rees ( 1969) 2
AER 274; National Textile Workers v. PR. Ramkrishnan (1983) 1
SCC 228 and Institute of Chartered Accountants v. L.K Raina ( l986)
4 sec 537.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. P;ETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 85
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel has further submitted A
that the property rights have to be decided as per the civil law and not as
per ecclesiastical law and there has to be a specific plea with regard to
properties of each Parish Church by giving particulars of such properties.
There was no such plea in the present matter or .in the 1995 judgment.
The 1995 judgment may have evidentiary value under section 13 of the
B
Evidence Act, 1872 but cannot operate as res judicata as it was not
inter partes. He has relied upon the principle of estoppel referred to
Sita! Das v. Sant Ram Das AIR 1954 SC 606, Shrinivas Krishnarao
Kango v. Narayan Devji Kango (1955) 1 SCR 1 and Tirumala Tirupati
Devasthanams v. K.M Krishnaiah ( 1998) 3 SCC 331. As the Catholicos
g~oup invited a decision in the 1995 case in a representative capacity C
under Order I Rule 8 CPC, they are estopped from contending contrary
to those findings in the present proceedings.
It was further submitted that Parish Churches though party to the
1934 Constitution and a constituent of the MalankaraAssociation are
entitled to have their own Constitution for both secular and temporal D
matters as followers of the faith of the superiority of the Patriarch and
that the St. Mary's Orthodox Church, Varikoli had its own Constitution
of 2002 and Udampady. Thus, it is open to the Parish Churches, even
after 1934 to decide and to make their own Constitution in exercise of
their fundamental right to freedom of conscience and religion under
Article 25 so as to follow the faith of spiritual supremacy of the Patriarch. E
The 1934 Constitution is only an agreement or contract and cannot be
elevated to the level of the Constitution of India.
He further urged that in the present case a defective declaration.
has been sought to the effect that the appellant-Church is governed by
the 1934 Constitution as upheld by the Supreme Court. Such declaration F
could not have been sought as the courts below were over influenced by
such declaration sought with reference to Supreme Court judgment which
could not have been granted and prayer has virtually curtailed the
discretion of the courts below as it had influenced the minds of the Judges
of the courts while appreciating the evidence and considering the causes. G
Thus this Court has to appreciate the evidence afresh and to consider
the entire factual matrix independent of the 1995 judgment and to record
the conclusions de nova.
II. . As the second limb of his arguments, Shri K. Parasaran, learned
senior counsel has submitted thatthe 1995 judgment is not binding upon H
86 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (20 l 7] 9 S.C.R.

A the appellants that abandonment of pleas/objections to the revival of the
Catholicate, the validity of the 1934 Constitution, the Catholicos being
seated on the Throne of St. Thomas, etc. cannot bind the appellant in
perpetuity to remain a part of the Malankara Association. He made the
following submissions in this regard:
B (i) In the 1995 judgment, Hon. Jeevan Reddy, J. has observed
about the abandonment of the objections in regard to the revival of the
Catholicate, validity of the 1934 Constitution, Catholicos being seated on
the Throne of St. Thomas in the East and acceptance of the Patriarch
by the Catholicos subject to the Constitution. It has been urged that the
appellant cannot be disabled from pursuing their faith i.e. the Patriarch
C being the spiritual superior having authority to appoint a Vicar for
performance of spiritual ceremonies, conforming to that faith.
(ii) The finding as to abandonment, as observed in the 1995
judgment, runs contrary to the decision of this Court in Sha Mulchand
& Co. Ltd. v. Jawahar Mills ( 1954) SCR 351 a decision of Four Judges,
D in which it has been laid down thus:
"14 .... Unilateral act or conduct of a person that is to say act or
conduct of one person which is not relied upon by another person
to his detriment, is nothing more than mere waiver, acquiescence
or [aches, while act or.. conduct of a person amounting to an
E abandonment of his right and inducing another person to change
his position to his detriment certainly raises the bar of estoppels .
. . . . Whatever be the effect of mere waiver, acquiescence or
laches on the part of a person on his claim to equitable remedy to
enforce his rights under an executor contract, it is quite clear, on
F the authorities, that mere waiver, acquiescence or !aches which
does not amount to an abandonment of his right or to an estoppels
against him cannot disentitle that person from claiming relief in
equity in respect of his executed and not merely executor interest.

.G
A man who has a vested interest and in whom the legal title
lies does not, and cannot lose that title by mere !aches, or mere
standing by or even by saying that he has abandoned his right,
unless there is something more, namely inducing another party by
his words or conduct to believe the truth of that statement and to
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 87
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

act upon it to his detriment; that is to say, unless there is an estoppels, A
pure and simple,. It is only in such a case that the right can be lost
by what is loosely called abandonment or waiver, but even then it
is not the abandonment or waiver as such which deprives him of
his title but the estoppels which prevents him from asse11ing that
his interest in the shares has not been legally extinguished, that is B
to say; which prevents him from asserting that the legal forms
which in law bring about the extinguishment of his interest and
.pass the title which resides in him to another, were not duly
observed.
Fazal Ali, J. and I endeavoured to explain this in Dhiyan Singh v. C
Judgal Kishore - What happens is this. The person stopped is not
allowed to deny the existence of facts, namely the actings of the
parties and so forth which would in law bring abmlt the change in
legal status, namely, the extinguishrnent of his own title and the
transfer of it to another, for estoppels is no more than a rule of
evidence which prevents a man from challenging the existence or D
noexistence of a fact. Once the facts are ascertained, or by a
fiction of law are deemed to exist, then it is those facts which
bring about the alteration in legal status; it is not the estoppels as
such nor is it the abandonment or waiver per se."
(iii) The plea of estoppel was not raised.The decision ofF our Judges is E
binding on Three Judges as held in S.H. Rangappa v. State of
Karnataka & Ors. (2002) I SCC 538 thus :
"11. While leferring to the decisions of this Court in Bachhittar
. Singh v. State of Punjab AIR 1963 SC 395 as well as Krishi Utpadan
Mandi Samiti v. Makrand Singh ( 1995) 2 SCC 497 and Eugenio F
Misquita v. State of Goa (1997) 8 SCC 47 Mr Sanghi, learned
Senior Counsel contended that the observations of this Court in
Khadim Hussain case Z( I076) I SCC 843 require reconsideration.
With respect, we are unable to agree with this for more than one
reason. Firstly, the decision in Khadirn Hussain case was rendered
by four Judges and the said decision is binding on µs, apart from G
the fact that on the interpretation of the provisions of Section 6
we are in agreement with the views expressed by the Bench in
that case. Secondly, as far as Bachhittar Singh case is concerned
that related to notings on the file made by a Minister and the
H
88 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A question which arose was whether that was an order which could
have been regarded to have been passed. By referring to the
provisions of Article 166 of the Constitution of India, this Court
held that the said decision would not be regarded as an order of
the Government. In Krishi Utpadan case and Eugenio case there
was no reference made to the binding decision of this Court in
B
Khadim Hussain case. Even otherwise, in both these cases,
declaration under Section 6 had been published within one year of
the notification under Section 4 and the question in the form in
which it has arisen for consideration in the instant case did not
arise there."
c Thus, the observations contrary thereto made in the 1995 judgment
are in conflict with the aforesaid decision which is binding on this Court.
Thus the issue of estoppel and the question of abandonment will not
arise.
(iv) In Vattipanam Suit when the Catholicos group sought a review
D of the decision of the High Court, review was permitted on the ground
that the following findings will not be reopened :
"(a) as to authenticity of Ex.A-18, the version of Canon Law
produced by Defendants 5, 6 and 42.
E '(b) as to the power of Patriarch to excommunicate without the
intervention of the Synod; and
(c) as to the absence of an indirect motive on the part of the
Patriarch which induced him to exercise his power of
excommunication."
F The aforesaid findings were prior to the 1934 Constitution. In the
1995 judgment the excommunication of the Catholicos by the Patriarch
was held to be invalid since there were no permissible grounds for the
same as held by this Court in para 155(9). However the spiritual
superiority of the Patriarch in both the instance to excommunicate remains
G unaltered. This Court has observed in the 1995 judgment that the Patriarch
cannot be said to have lost spiritual supremacy over Malankara Church.
(v) The spiritual superiority of the Patriarch cannot be denied by
the Catholicos group. Such denial would result in altering the fundamental
faith of the Patriarch followers who have been forced to form their own
association for safeguarding their spiritual and religious interests.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 89
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

(vi) The power of the Patriarch may have reached a vanishing A
poipt as observed in Vattipanam Suit and in the 1995 judgment at Para
155(4). However they have not yet vanished and the Patriarch continues
to remain a spiritual head of Syrian Church of which the Malankara
Church is a division.
III. Third limb of the argument of Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior B
counsel is that Parishioners have a right under Article 25 of the Constitution
oflndia. Article 25 guarantees to all persons the freedom of conscience
and free profession, practice and propagation of religion. Article 26
guarantees to all religious denominations, the freedom to manage its
own affairs in matters ofreligion. Spiritual superiority of Patriarch is an
article of faith guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. The section c
of people who do not believe in spiritual supremacy ofCatholicos cannot
be forced to have faith in him. Each Parishioner has a right to freedom
of religion. The freedom is guaranteed to persons as opposed to citizens
as in Article 19. He has also relied upon the term 'public order' as
examined by this Court in Ram Manohar Lohia v. State ofBihar ( 1966) D
I SCR 709 thus:
"The contravention of law always affects order but before it can
be said to affect public order, it must affect the community or the
public at large .... It will thus appear that just as 'public order' in
the rnlings of this Court (earlier cited) was said to comprehend E
disorders of less gravity than those affecting 'security of State',
'law and order'. One has to imagine three concentric circles.
Law and order represents the largest circle within which is the
next circle representing public order and the smallest circle
represents security of State. It is then easy to see that an act
may affect law and order but not public order just as an act may F
affect public order but not security of the State."
This Court in Commissioner. Hindu Religious Endowments v.
Sri Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt (1954) SCR
I005 at I022 held thus:
G
" ... The word 'denomination' has been defined in the Oxford
Dictionary to mean 'a collection ofindividuals classed together
under the same name; a religious sect. or body having a common
, faith and organization and designated by a distinctive name' ....
AH~r Sankara, came a galaxy or religious teachers and
H
90 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A philosophers who founded the different sects and sub-sects of
the Hindu religion that we find in India at the present day. Each
one of such sects or sub-sects can certainly be called a religious
denomination, as it is designated by a distinctive name, - in many
cases it is the name of the founder, - and has a common faith and
common spiritual organization. The followers of Ramanuja, who
B
are known by the name ofShri Vaishnabas, undoubtedly constitute
a religious denomination; and so do the followers or
Madhwacharya and other religious teachers."
(Emphasis supplied)
c He has also referred to the definition of 'apostolic', 'Patriarch',
'Pope' and 'Vicar'.
IV. It has been argued as well that time after time, the spiritual
supremacy of the Patriarch has been repudiated by the Catholicos, in
breach of the 1934 Constitution. He has submitted that the spiritual
D supremacy of the Patriarch has been repudiated by the Catholicos, in
breach of the l 934 Constitution. Thus the Constitution cannot bind the
Church.
V. He has next contended that the l 934 Constitution is in the
nature of a contract. It stands discharged and cannot bind the appellant.
E He has submitted that the 1995 judgment was rendered with a view to
reconcile the two rival factions which is not a possibility. Thus the plaintiffs
Catholicos were not entitled to any declaratory relief.
VI. He has submitted that the 1959 Samudayam case has no
bearing on the present proceedings. Lastly the High Court in the instant
F case has not assigned any reason why the judgment of trial court is
erroneous.
53. Shri C.A. Sundaram, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf
of appellants in C.A. Nos.3674 of20 l 5 and 3682 of20 l 5 has submitted
that the idea behind the formation of a trust has to be judged on as to
what has been followed by a long series of years. He has relied upon
G Cochin Royal Court judgment dated I5.8. l 905. The 1913 Udampady is
consistent with the declarations and decisions ofMulanthuruthy Synod
dated 27.6.1876 and the usage and practice that was being followed
from the 7th Century till 1913. Said judgment deals with the basic
formation of the Church. The 1913 Udampady also governed affairs of
H - "
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 91
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Church during the time period of 1913 to 1959. When the Parish A
Assembly can adopt the 1934 Constitution in 1959, it can also decide at
present to go by the 1913 Udampady. The Catholicos do not have the
spiritual grace of Apostolic Throne of St. Peter through Patriarch of
Antioch. Following the 1934 Constitution from 1959 to 1970 will not
amount to estoppel or waiverof fundamental rights. After 1974 the parties B
have not been able to reconcile. It is an article of faith that the religious
dignitaries conducting prayers or the religious services in the Church
should have a spiritual grace of the Patriarch of Antioch. The Vicar put
forward under the 1934 Constitution has no rightto function in the Church,
Reference has been made to the Moran Mar Basselios Catholicos &
Anr. v. Most. Rev. Mar Poulose Athanasius & Ors., AIR 1954 SC C
526, the 1995 judgment, and the Vattipanam Suit: In 2004 and 2008, the
Catholicos faction challenged the then Patriarch's visit to India by way
of filing writ petitions in the High Court. The functions of Vicar are both
spiritual and managerial in nature as per the 1934 Constitution. He has
referred to various provisions of the 1934 Constitution. Kolencherry
0
Church is not bound by the amendments macle in 2011. Due to closure
and the ongoing litigations, Catholicos are making deliberate attempts to
create law and order problems through goons. The Canon referred to .in
section 5 of the 1934 Constitution has not been accepted in Mathan
Malpan v. Oolahannan Geevarghese 45 TLR 116.
54. Shri C.S. Vaidyanathan, learned senior counsel appearing in E
Civil Appeal Nos.3681 and 3683 of2015 has additionally submitted that
the ·Patriarch of Antioch is the spiritual head. The Catholicos who is a
creature under the Patriarch of Antioch, cannot dictate terms. The
persons in management cannot alter the object of the ~rust. He has
referred to Cochin Royal Court judgment (supra) and other decisions. · F
He has also relied upon the Udampadies and has contended that the
· same being registered documents, would prevail. The Kolenchery Church
representatives did not attend the meeting of 1934. The 1934 Constitution
is the bye law or rules regulating the affairs of a voluntary organization
or Association. It cannot be said to be binding at all times. It can be
amended or altered. Constitution of 1934 has been amended more than G
once in 195 I, 1967, 1997, 2006 and 2011. It is not Bible. This Court has
also ordered the amendment of the 1934 Constitution in the judgment of
1995. In case the theory of finality of an ecclesiastical tribunal is upheld
as to the validity ofex-communication of the Catholicos, this Court could
H
92 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A not have gone into the question of the validity of ex-communication in
the judgments of 1958 or 1995. He has referred to the decision of the
US Supreme Court in 15 Lawyers Edition 2D 155. This Court adopted
the neutral principles of law while examining the question of ex-
communication.
B In view of Articles 19 and 25 of the Constitution, this Court has
not construed it appropriate to hold that the 1934 Constitution would
apply to all the Parish Churches in the Malankara Jacobite/Orthodox
Churches. The consequence of not subscribing to the 1934 Constitution
can only be that cessation of all privileges as priests of Sabha and in
respect of the Samudayam property. The Parishioners own the property
C of Parish Church and the Cemetery and they cannot be deprived of that
right by not subscribing to the 1934 Constitution. The Jacobite Church is
not an Episcopal church and the Parish proP.erties do not vest in the
Episcopa. '-"
It is difficult to accept the supremacy of Catholicos. There were
D umpteen instances when burial of dead had been obstructed. Registration
ofUdampady is equivalent to possession of the property. The Kolencherry
Church is a Public Trust of religious and charitable nature. There is no
waiver or estoppel. Malankara Church is neither completely Episcopal
nor a congregational unit. The declaration sought.with respect to religious
E services/ceremonies to be performed by a particular Vicar or priests
appointed under the 1934 Constitution would violate the basic object of
the Church and would be in violation of Articles 25 and 26 and of the
provisions in the Udampady, and there is no justification for a court to
pass on the spiritual or temporal authority to Catholicos faction of the
Malankara Orthodox Church. An attempt is being made to ex.elude
F Patriarchs from spiritual and temporal affairs, resulting in law and order
problems.
55. Shri Mohan Parasaran, learned senior counsel, in addition,
has referred to the historical background, framing of the statutes, and
effect of various judgments. He has submitted that it is not necessary
G that Church is to be administered only on the basis of the 1934 Constitution.
He has relied upon registered Udampady of 1890. The ultimate faith of
the Church is in the Patriarch of Antioch. No such binding declaration as
prayed could have been granted in view of section 35 of the Specific
ReliefAct. The 1934 Constitution cannot hold good in view of provisions
H made in the Constitution of India. The appellant Church, a member of
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 93
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

the Malankara Church has a right to come out and join any association A
in view of pr9visions of Article 25 of the Constitution. He has also relied
upon Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights whereby
no one would be compelled to belong to an association. It was further
urged by him that formation of an association under Article 19( 1)( c)
carries with it the negative right, i.e. the right not to be a part of an
B
· association. If the rightto come out is not recognized it would be infringing
the fundamental rights of the majority of the worshippers/Parishioners.
The 1934 Constitution cannot be interpreted so as to take away the
identity of a Parish churc_h. Without prejudice to the submission tha! the
1934 Constitution does not bind the appellants, it was submitted that the
conduct of the Catholicos was highly objectionable and disentitles them C
from claiming discretionary relief of declaration as sought for. They have
not come to the court with clean hands. The argument that Catholicos
being considered as heretics for denying the supremacy of the Patriarch
has been put to rest in the Samudayam suit, cannot hold the field. The
Catholicos has altogether erased the Patriarch from the already reduced
0
vanishing point. The suit was not maintainable on behalf of the plaintiffs
and defendants were also not made eo nomine representatives of other
Parishioners. As such the 1995 judgment does not bind the appellants.
The Episcopal character is to the extent so declared in the 1934
Constitution. It was not mentioned which Patriarch Churches are to be
governed by the 1934 Constitution. This Com1 has decided differently E
about Kananaya Churches. On that parity of reasonings, this Court should
hold that Malankara Churches are also to be governed by their own
Constitution or Udampady. The right to come out has to be given because
fundamental faith has been breached which they reposed in the
supremacy of Patriarch of Antioch. When two factions are there and F
the community is divided, it is not the function of the court to compel the '
divided community to have single leadership against the will of one of
the two factions. If there is a divided religious community to accept one
particular leader would constitute an infringement of freedom of religion.
The principle of ex debito justitiae cannot convert itself into an
instrument of injustice or vehicle of oppression. He has buttressed the G
point in additional written submissions also. Things have reached a point
of no return and they have adopted a different Constitution of 2002.
Catholicos faction and patriarch faction are irreconcilable. They are
different in faith, in affairs and one faction cannot overreach the other.
Church be allowed to administer under the 2002 Constitution.
H
94 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 56. Shri Shyam Divan, learned senior counsel, appearing on behalf
or respondent No.14 supporting the appellants in CA No.3674 of 2015,
relying upon various decisions urged that the respondent Church is a
publif: Trust of religious nature. Its administration is under registered
Udampady dated 13.12.1913. As per section 92, CPC, the court was
B required to frame a scheme of administration of Trust by enforcing the
binding terms of 1913 Udampady. The Udampady has not been altered
or overridden by any subsequently registered document. The 1934
Constitution is not a registered document. It does not in any manner
impinge, affect or touch upon much less override the 1913 Udampady.
None of the provisions of the 1934 Constitution divests the property
C from trustees as per 1913 Udampady.
57. It was submitted by Shri V.K. Biju, learned counsel in C.A.
No.5410 of 2017 that the High Court has erred in relying on minority
view of the 1995 judgment. The religious rights and temporal rights of
the Parishioners are intertwined as per custom and faith. Therefore
D cannot be separated. An essential part of religion is a complete dedication
to belief and the same cannot be changed. Spirituality also forms part of
the religion and cannot be separated so rights under Articles 25 and 26
cannot be curtailed. Provisions of Order I Rule 8 CPC have not been
followed. The illegal amendment could not have been allowed. The 2002
Constitution of the Patriarch group holds the field. The same is in
E consonance with Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
58. Shri Philip John, learned counsel appearing in C.A. Nos.3674
of2015 and 3682of2015 has relied upon the 1913 Udampady, and has
urged that the Catholicos has breached the Constitution of 1934 by filing
a writ petition against the entry of Patriarch in Malankara Church. The
F Parish Church is an independent and autonomous Trust. He has referred
to various judgments and submitted that apostate's succession from St.
Peter to Patriarch of Antioch is the basic faith of Malankara Church.
He has also-questioned the amendment made in sections 7, 8 and 43 of
the 1934 Constitution and in the year 2011. Vicar has to do both religious
G and spiritual functions as per the 1934 Constitution. On behalf of
intervenor Shri Ritesh Kumar has supported the case set up by appellants.
CONTENTIONS ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENTS:
59. Shri K.K. Venugopal, learned senior counsel appearing on
behalf of respondent No. I in Kolenchery Church matter has submitted
H
K. S. VARGHESE'& ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 95
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

that the present appeal arises out of the civil suit and the same be confined A
to the issues raised in the suit, i.e., whether the Church in question is to ··
be governed by the 1934 Constitution or the Udampady of 1913. It was
further urged by him that certain issues are covered. by Moran Mar
Basselios v. T.Paulo Avira AIR 1959 SC 31 (supra) and the 1995
judgment. They are:
B
(a) The 1934 Constitution of the Malankara Church was validly
adopted at the M.D; Seminary meeting held on 26.12.1934 ..
(b) Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is Episcopal to the .extent r
declared by the 1934 Constitution. The said Constitution governs
· the affairs of the Parish Churches and shall prevail. c
(c) The 1934 Constitution was accepted by the persons belonging
to the Patriarch faction.
(d) The power of the Patriarch does not extend to the governance .
of the temporalities of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
D
·(e) The Patriarch in the year 1964 took care to have the. territorial
jurisdiction of the Catholicos duly defined and deiimited by
excluding certain areas in the Middle East from the jurisdiction
of the Catholicos. · ·
Learned senior counsel has also pointed out certain significant E v

develop'ments that have taken place after the 1995 judgment. -·
This Court has approved .certain amendments to the 1934
Constitution vide the judgment of 1996 and has passed the consequential
decree and modified it in the year 1997. Justice V.S. Malimath had
conducted the elections under'orders of this Court that has been upheld
F
· by this Court. The Malankara Association by the majority elected
Marthoma Mathews II (Catholicos of the East) as the Malankara
Metropolitan. This Court has declared the same to be final and binding
and was not subSected to any challenge in any court or before any other
forum. The.Patriarch faction initiated the execution proceedings, pursuant
to which elections were held in 2002. It was stated in the execution G
petition filed by the Patriarch faction that they had accepted the 1934
Constitution. The Metropolitans have also affirmed affidavits to the said
effect. Thus, the members of the Patriarch faction accepted 1934 ·
Constitution and the 1995 judgment as.binding. Learned senior counsel
further submitted that in view of section 132 of the 1934 Constitution all
H
96 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A agreements, offices, and practices that are not inconsistent with the
provisions of the Constitution are made ineffective and annulled. The
Udampady of 1913 being inconsistent with the provisions of the 1934
Constitution stands annulled and is ineffective. He has submitted a
comparative chart indicating inconsistencies between the two to bring
home the submissions. It was further submitted by him that formation of
B
new Church and Constitution in 2002 was a subterfuge to bypass the
decision rendered in 1995. The Patriarch faction ought to have
p<irticipated in the elections directed by this Court as per the 1995
judgment. The cause of action was initiated in 2002 and the Patriarch
faction also framed a new Constitution in 2002 just to get rid of the
C judgment of this Court. The 2002 Constitution is inconsistent with the
1934 Constitution and cannot prevail. Learned senior counsel has further
pointed out the role of the Patriarch and the Catholicos under the 1934
Constitution. He has attracted our attention to sections I, 2, 94, 98, 100
and l 0 I. He has submitted that the prime jurisdiction regarding the
temporal, ecclesiastical and spiritual administration of the Malankara
D
Church is vested with the Malankara Metropolitan as per section 94. As
per section 98, Catholicos may also hold the office of the Malankara
Metropolitan. Section JOO declares that the powers of the Catholicos
include the consecration of Prelates, presiding over the Episcopal Synod,
declaring its decisions and implementing them, conducting the
E administration as the representative of the Synod and consecrating the
Holy Moron. It was further urged that as per section 101 Malankara
Church shall recognize the Patriarch, canonically consecrated with the
co-operation of the Catholicos. It was further submitted by him that the
present proceedings are an attempt to reopen the issues that stand
concluded by the earlier judgments. This Court in the 1959 judgment and
F
also in the 1995 judgment has affirmed adoption ofthe 1934 Constitution.
The 1934 Constitution contains the provisions dealing with properties of
the Parish Churches as well in sections 23, 27, 39 and 40. In view of the
1934 Constitution that contains a scheme of administration, there is no
question of framing of a scheme under section 92 CPC. By framing a
G new Constitution in the year 2002 the persons concerned had abandoned
and repudiated the Malankara Church but also the Trust that exists with
regard to each Parish Church. Having done so they are not entitled to
reiiefunder section 92 CPC. It is open to any member of the Church in
an exercise of his/her rights under Article 25 of the Constitution oflndia
to leave the Malankara Church to follow any other faith of his/her choice.
H
·,

K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 97
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

However, the contention that a majority ·of the Parishioners are free to A
decide to leave the Malankara Church and to take away or continue to
enjoy the properties of the Parish Churches is wholly untenable. The
properties of the Parish Churches do not vest in the Parishioners. The
properties held in Trust vest in the trustees and not in the beneficiaries
as laid down in Chhatra Kumari Devi v. Mohan Bikram Shah & Ors . .
B
AIR 1931 ·PC 196. The trustees as per the 1934 Constitution are. Vicar
and lay steward or alternatively the trustees of the Malankara Church.
The Parishioners cannot by the majority or otherwise, ~laim any title to
the properties of the Parish Churches and that would be defeating the
trust itself. Section 125 of the 1934 Constitution deals with a situation
where members of the Malankara Church Jeave the church and provides C
. that in such a case the departing members have no right over the
properties. The same will remain the church property. Thus frequent
disputes arose due to the refusal of the Patriarch faction to abide by the
1934 Constitution. The only manner of maintaining amity and harmony
in the Malankara Church is to direct.all parties to abide by the letter and
D
spirit of the Constitution and to create peace and harmony.
60. Shri Krishnan Venugopal, learned senior counsel appearing .
on behalf of respondent No.2 in C.A. No.3682 of 2015 urged that the
dispute concerns one of the oldest Christian churches in the world, the
Malankara Church also known as the Syrian Orthodox Church of the
East founded in India in 52 A.D. The appellants have travelled beyond E
their pleadings in the arguments. The majority cannot take away the
property of the Church in an exercise of a right under Article 25. In the
1995 judgoient, this Court has held that the 1934 Constitution shall govern
and re~ulate the affairs of the Parish Churches insofar as it provides for
the same. He has taken this Court to various provisions of the 1934 F
Constitution. As per the Constitution, even a majority of the Parishioners
in the Parish Assembly by themselves are not able to take the movable
or immovable properties out of the ambit of the 1934 Constitution without
the approval ofthe church hierarchy. He has referredto sections 23, 37,
· 124; 125 of the 1934 Constitution. He has also referred to certain decisions
of House of Lords etc. Since there is no declaration of trust available on G
record the Court m~y go by the usage or custom prevalent in the church
to determiftj:l'.'fhe competing claims made by rival factions. -The
Kolenchery C4iurch ·had been administered only under th¢ 19J4
Constitution and not by the 1913 Udampady. The judgments of 1959 and
1995 have upheld the 1934 Constitution. By swearing allegiance to the H
. \ \,__. ~---~·

98 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 2002 Constitution, the Parishioners cannot take away the assets of the
Kolenchery Church. It was further submitted that the cooperation and
consultation between Malankara Association and Patriarch of Antioch
are possible only if the Patriarch is willing for it but he cannot act
unilaterally as held by this Court in the 1995 judgment. The Patriarch
can only be canonically consecrated with the cooperation of the Catholicos.
8
The Parish Churches that have participated in the Elections ofMalankara
in 2002 within the framework ofthe 1934 Constitution will remain bound
by it and that their assets will remain with their respective endowments
and cannot be taken away by the Parishioners. The Parish Churches
are bound by the 1934 Constitution. The High Court has recorded a
C finding that the Kolenchery Church was never administered as per the
Udampady of 1913 for which various reasons have been given. Evidence
has been relied upon. There is cogent, oral and documentary evidence
that the Kolenchery Church was governed by the 1934 Constitution.
The 1913 Udampady is not a trust deed and it does not govern the
administration of the Church. The plea that it governs the administration
0
of the Church is barred by constructive resjudicata in view of the 1959
and 1995 judgments. The trust has not been created by the document. It
was created in the 7th Century. It was a pre-existing trust not created
by the 1913 Udampady. There are no specific averments in the plaint of
mismanagement and maladministration ofthe Church, which is a condition
. E precedent for framing a scheme under section 92. No declaration as to
rights of property can be given in a suit under section 92 CPC. The
Patriarch faction boycotted the elections conducted pursuant to the
judgment of this Court in 1995 in March 2002 and cannot seek any
indulgence from this Court having violated the dictum of this Court. The .
F report of Justice Malimath has been accepted as such. The appellants
are not entitled to any relief.
61. Shri E.M.S. Anam, learned counsel appearing on behalf of
the respondents in C.A. Nos. 3674 of2015, 3681 of2015 & 3683 of
2015 has addressed on the scope of the suit. The Church is governed by
the 1934 Constitution. Plaint is silent with respect to the properties. There
G is no pleading regarding the acquisition of the properties, when and how
they were acquired, what was the purpose of the acquisition, from where
did the consideration come, and from whom the properties were
purchased. Title deeds have not been produced. No evidence with respect
to a payment of taxl'Js, revenue, income etc. has been filed. The
H Parishioners have no right to walk out of the church along with properties
K. s. VARGHESE & o~s. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN. 99
\
• ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]
'\

by a referendum or election. There is no pleading that Parish properties A
· vest with the Parishioners. Thus the courts below had no occasion to
consider this question. No Parishioner or any person, who made the
dedication can claim a right or a share in the property of the church.
Properties are to be administered as per the 1934 Constitution. A group
of Parishioners cannot claim any right, title or interest in the Parish · &
property. They cannot take away the property by forming of the new
\ , Church and the Constitution of2002. Learned counsel has relied upon
sections 23, 37 and 39 of the 1934 Constitution with respectto acquisition,
vicar and lay steward and properties and he has also referred to sections
54, 61, 62, 68, 85 and 94 regarding effective control and management of
Parish properties by the hierarchy of authorities like Vicar, lay trustee, c
Parish Managing Committee, Secretary, Metr!Jpolitan, Diocesan
Assembly, Diocesan Council, Malankara Metropolitan etc. The question
raise.d -is beyond the scope oft.he civil suit. Appointment and transfer of
Vicars are temporal matters and not spiritual. The Patriarch never had
the power of appointment of Vicars of Parish Churches as provided in D
section 40 of the 1934 Constitution. The Patriarch has himselfaccepted
the 1934 Constitution and revival of Catholicos by Kalpanas A- l 3 and
A-14. The power which stood vested in him was reduced to a vanishing
point has been held. by this Court. There are more than 2000 Parish
Churches, only in Jess than I% of Parish churches, the Patriarch group
could cause disputes by resorting to violence. Patriarch group apparently E
convinced in 2002 that they constitute a minuscule minority, boycotted
the election and convened a parallel meeting and formed a new Church
under a new Constitution of2002. Udampady does not cr~ate, declare,
assign, limit or extinguish any right over the immov'able property and as
such its registration is of no consequence. Udampady cannot prevail
F
over the Constitution. The contention is barred by Order2 Rule 2 and by
virtue of Explanation 6 to section j-.l CPC. The educational institutions
. are governed by Kerala Education Act, 1959. Section 6 of the said Act
imposes restrictions on alienation of properties of school. The school is
governed by bye-laws which are statutorily made and approved by the
said Act and the Rules. Thus Udampady of 1913 does not govern G
educational institutions. Elections have been duly held as held by two
courts. The reliefs claimed in the suit are not bona fide. Parish properties
do not vest in the Parishioners. The assets of the Parish Churches are to
be governed by the 1934 Constitution and that of educational institutions
as per the Act of 1959 and not by Udampady of 1913.
H
100 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.
•

A 62. Shri Chander Uday Singh, learned senior counsel appearing
on behalf of the respondent in CA No.8789of2015 has submitted that
the 1934 Constitution vests the power of appointment of Vicars in the
Diocesan Metropolitan. In addition, he submitted about the Seminary
Suit, Arthat Suit, Samudayam Suit, the 1995 judgment and subsequent
B ·position up to 2002 till holding of elections pursuant to the judgment of
1995. It was contended that certain matters stood concluded. The
appellants have violated the mandate of the 1995 judgment of this Court,
having dodged the elections as directed in the consent orders of this
Court. The patriarch faction tried to overreach the court by framing a
new Constitution even while this Court was hearing Justice Malimath
C report and thus they are not entitled to any indulgence in the appeals.
The approved Canon of the Church is the Hudaya Canon written by Bar
Hebraeus i.e. the Canon as the one printed in Paris in the year 1898
wherein it is stated that the Patriarch of Antioch shall not enter the
eparchy of Tigris by way of administration, except when invited. The
D creation ofCatholicos in 1912 in Malankara conferringjurisdiction over
India, Ceylon, and Burma was neither against the scriptures nor faith as
held by this Court in the 1995 judgment. He has also referred to certain
provisions of the Constitution. This Court has laid down in 1997 that
every person claiming to hold any office or post in the church shall be
bound by and shall swear allegiance to the 1934 Constitution.
E 63. In the case of Syrian Church at Mannathur, it was submitted
by Shri E.M.S. Anam, learned counsel that certain dispute which took
place in 2011 have been pointed out as to the perforrpance of ceremonies
of the Church and due to law and order problem created, the Sub-
Divisional Magistrate took possession of the D-1 Church on 25.12.2011.
F Udampady of 1890 does not hold the field. The Church had been
administered under the 1934 Constitution as reflected from accounts
etc. The Patriarch faction illegally conducted a parallel meeting on
20.3.2002 at Puthencruz and formed a new Sabha called Jacobite Syrian
Christian Church and framed the 2002 Constitution to bypass the judgment
of this Court and to create pandemonium and chaos and the pothuyogam
G dated 30.3.2003 was convened by the Vicar, and the members of the
erstwhile Patriarch faction demanded adoption of the 2002 Constitution
which was refused by the Vicar and the majority of Parishioners. The
2002 Constitution has never been adopted or accepted. Udampady was
not required to be compulsorily registered. It was not the document of
H the creation of a Church but only for its administration.
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 101
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

64 ..Following questions arise in the matter: A
.A. Whether 1995 judgment is binding the appellants? If yes, to
· what extent?
B. Abandonment of pleas/objections to revival ofCatholicate, the
validity of 1934 Constitution.
B
C. In Re: Parishioners have right to follow own faith under article
25 of the Constitution of India and manage affairs under Ar-
ticle 26 of Constitution oflndia.
D. Repudiation of spiritual authority/ supremacy of Patriarch by
the Catholicos. · c
E. In Re: 1934 Constitution is in terms of a contract, enforceable
at present.
F.. In Re: Udampady- Enforceability, of binding nature and 2002
Constitution
D
G. Effect of non registration of the 1934 Constitution and of
registered Udampady.
H. Maintainability ofMannathur Church suit.
I. Framing of Scheme under Section 92 of CPC
J. Whether in the facts interim arrangement to continue. E

IN RE: WHETHER THE 1995 JUDGMENT IS BINDING
ON THE APPELLANTS? IF YES, TO WHAT EXTENT?
65. It was submitted by Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel
and other learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellants that the F
findings recorded in para 158(8) of the 1995 judgment which became
part of the decree, that so far as the declaration to the effect that the
Malankara Church is Episcopal in character is concerned, this Court
had held that it is Episcopal to the extent it is so declared in the 1934
Constitution. The said Constitution also governs the affairs of the Parish
Churches and shall prevail. It was submitted by learned senior counsel G
that the decree runs contrary to the observations made in Para 154 of
the judgment in which it has been mentioned that in the absence of the
Parish Churches it cannot be declared that the prope1iies held by
Malankara Parish Churches vest in the Catholicos. In our opinion, the
submission is wholly untenable. The representative suit was decided in H
102 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R .
•

A 1995 and the judgment is binding even on those who were not parties to
the case. All the Parishioners are bound bythe judgment to the extent it
has decided the matter. There is no conflict in the decree as well as the
aforesaid observations that have been made by this Court. The majority
opinion has left open the question that the property whether it is held by
B the Parish Churches or vested in the Catholicos and Para 155(8) deals
with other rights and nature of the Church to be episcopal and with
respect to the applicability of the 1934 Constitution the judgment is final,
conclusive and binding in these cases.
Though on the basis of Bhikhi Lal v. Tribeni AIR 1965 SC 1935
it was submitted that the decree has to be in accordance with the
- c judgment, we find that the decree is wholly in tune with the judgment
and the issues which were effectively decided by this Court and what
was left open is absolutely in no conflict with the findings recorded in the
judgment and in the decree. The decree is in accordance with the
aforesaid dictum of this Court.
D 66. Learned senior counsel also urged that as per section 35 of
the Specific ReliefAct, 1963 the declaration made by this Court is binding
only on the parties to the suit or persons claiming through them
respectively . The appellants were not parties to the suit nor they are
claiming through the parties therein. Relying on Razia Begum v.
E Sahebzadi Anwar Begum, 1959 SCR 1111, it was urged that the
declaration operates only in persona. We are unable to accept the
submission. The relief which was sought in the main suit and led to the
1995 judgment was to declare the Malankara Church to be Episcopal in
character and is not a union or federation of autonomous church units
and is governed in its administration by the Constitution of the Malankara
F Chw·ch. It was also prayed that defendants I to 3 has no competence to
ordain priests and deacons for Malankara Church and that they were
not legally consecrated Metropolitans of the Malankara Church and
defendants 4 to 8 were not legally ordained priests or deacons of the
Malankara Church. Prayer was also made to declare that any priest
G who refuses to recognize the authority of the first plaintiff and other
Metropolitans under him was not entitled to administer in any of the
Malankara churches or its institutions. Permanent prohibitory injunction
was claimed against defendant Nos.] to 3 from ordaining priests or
deacons or performing any other sacraments, service etc. for the
Malankara Church or its institutions. The Division Bench had decreed
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 103

.. ORTH: & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

the main suit. In the 1995 judgment this Court referring to the Year 1654 A
events, observed that the authority of the Patriarch extended only to
spiritual affairs but not to the temporal affairs of the Malankara Church.
There was the revival ofCatholicate in 1912 by Patriarch Abdul Messiah,
and that brought a qualitative change in the situation. A-14, the Kalpana
was issued which fact was not disputed by the Patriarch group, and A- B
13 which was preceded by A-14 empowered the Catholicos to ordain
Metropolitans and other officials of the Church in accordance with the
canons of the Church and also to consecrate holy Moron. The powers
of consecrating holy Moron that vested in Patriarch, came to be vested
in the Catholicos by the Patriarch himself.
67. The third Catholicos was elected as the Malankara Metropolitan · C
and thus the powers of both were concentrated in one person i.e. the
spiritual and temporal powers. This Court also observed that the Patriarch
in the year 1972 could not have exercised the power of appointment of
getting ordaining the priests and deacons through his delegate as observed
in Para No.134 of the 1995 judgment. This Court clearly held that even D
ifit is held that by Kalpana',sA~ 13 andA-14 the Patriarch is not denuded
of the powers delegated by him to the Catholicos, he could not have
unilaterally exercised those powers which were delegated and he could
have exercised those powers thereafter in consultation with the Catholicos
and the Malankara Sabha (Association) and of course in accordance
with the. 1934 Constitution. This Court also held that it was necessary E
for the reason (i) to avoid creating parallel authorities leading to conflict
and confusion and (ii) the acceptance by the local people. Thus this
Court clearly held that the Patriarch could not have purported to exercise
unilaterally the powers delegated by him to the Catholicos under A-14.
68. This Court also held that when the Patriarch had recognized F
the Catholicos, he did so with the full knowledge. Reliance was placed
on Kalpana Ex. A-19 dated 9.12.1958. It was also held that Kalpana's
A-19 and A-20 were not issued in an abrupt fashion. Under Kalpana
Ex. A-20 the Catholicos accepted the Patriarch subject to the Constitution
passed by the Malankara Association. The members of the Patriarch G
group swore loyalty to.the 1934 Constitution. The Patriarch abandoned
whatever objection he had by his acts and declarations in the year 1964
when he came to India on invitation from the Malankara Synod and
consecrated and duly installed the new Catholicos who was elected by,
the Malankara Association in accordance with the 1934 Constitution.
H
104 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20 J 7] 9 S.C.R.

A Before that, the Patriarch also took care to define the territorial
jurisdictions of the Patriarchate and the Catholicate. The Middle East
that was supposed to be under the jurisdiction of the Catholicos was
excluded from his jurisdiction confining his authority to India and East
alone. In our opinion this defining of the territorial jurisdiction also
recognized the power ofthe Catholicos both in spiritual as well as temporal
8
matters.
69. This Court had also found that it was not open fo the Patriarch
or his followers to contend that revival of Catholicate was not in
accordance with the religious tenets and faith of the Syrian Jacobite
Christian Church; that the Constitution of 1934 was not duly and validly
C passed. Thus this Court also found that the revival of Catholicate reduced
the power ofPatriarch to a vanishing point. The power and authority of
the Catholicos as per Kalpanas A-13 and A-14 were atlirmed. re-
enforced and enlarged in the 1934 Constitution.
70. This Court has clearly held that the Patriarch could not have
D unilaterally appointed priests etc. through his delegate. It is one thing to
say that the Patriarch could do these things in cooperation with the
Catholicos but the ordaining of the priests and Metropolitans by him and
his delegate without reference to and over the protestations of the
Catholicos, was certainly not the right thing to do since it purported to
E create a parallel administrative mechanism for the church in spiritual/
temporal matters.
The aforesaid findings and the declaration in the aforesaid decree
that was passed in the 1995 judgment extracted above, in a representative
suit, is binding. This Court in R. Venugopala Naidu & Ors. v.
F Venkatarayulu Naidu Charities & Ors. ( 1989) Supp 2 SCC 356 has
dealt with the suit under section 92 and Order I Rule 8 ofCPC and it
was held that such a suit is the representative action of a large number
of persons who have a common interest. The suit binds not only the
parties named in the suit but all those who are interested in the trust. It is ·
for that reason Explanation 6 to section 11 CPC constructively bars by
G res judicata the entire body of interested persons from re-agitating the
matters directly in issue in an earlier suit under section 92 CPC. This
Court has laid down thus:
"11. It is not necessary to go into the finding of the High Cou11
that two of the appellants being Muslims can have no interest in
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 105
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

the trust as the other two appellants claim to be the beneficiaries A
of the trust and their claim has not been negatived. Moreover, the
trust has been constituted to perform not only charities of a religious
nature but also charities of a secular nature such as providing for
drinking water and food for the general public without reference
to caste or religion."
B
Section l l read with Explanation 6 is extracted hereunder:
"SectiOn 11: No Court shall try any suit or issue in which the
matter directly and substantially in issue has been directly and
substantially in issue in a former suit between the same parties, or
between parties under whom they or any of them claim, litigatin.g c
under the same title, in a Court competent to try such subsequent
suit or the suit in which such issue has been subsequently raised,
and has been heard and finally decided by such Court.
Explanation VI- Where persons litigate bona fide in respect of
public right or of a private right claimed in common for themselves D .
and others, all persons interested in such right shall, for the purposes
of this section, be deemed to claim under the persons so litigating."
71. Order 1 Rule 8 is an exception to the general rule that all
persons interested in the suit are to be mage parties thereto. The object
for which the provision is enacted is to provide an exception to the ordinary E
procedure in a case where common rights of community or members of
such association or large section are involved. It will be practically difficult
to institute the suit under the ordinary procedure by impleading every
person in which every individual has to maintain account by a separate
suit and to avoid numerous suits being filed for a decision on the common
question. Order I Rule 8 had been enacted so as to simplify the procedure. F
In case parties have bona fide litigated the question and there had been
no collusion in such a suit, the decision would bind the others. The rule
entitles one party to represent many and the action is maintainable without
joinder of otber parties. Order I Rule 8 pre-supposes that there are
numerous persons having the·same interest. One or more such persons G
with permission of the court.may sue or be sued or may defend such suit
on behalf of the persons so interested. In such a case notice has to be
given as per Order I Rule 8(2) by way of public advertisement and then
any person on whose behalf or whose benefit the suit is instituted or

-
defended has a right to apply to the court to be made a party to such a
.H
--<

-
I
106 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A suit. It is provided in Order I Rule 8(6) that the decree in a suit under this
rule shall be binding on all the persons on whose behalf or for whose
benefit the suit is instituted or defended, as the case may be. As per the
mandate o(the Order 1 Rule 8(6), the finding that was recorded in the
earlier suit that was decided in 1958 as well as in 1995 is binding insofar
B as the questions decided in a representative character. The provision to
Exception 6 of Section 11 applies to such a suit as held in Kumaravelu
v. Ramaswami, AIR 1933 PC 183. This Court has decided the issue in
1995 suit to the extent that the parties were having the common interest
as contemplat~d in Order I Rule 8 and left open issues with respect to
temporal matters in the absence of Parish Churches. To that extent only,
C we can decide the issues and other issues have to be taken as barred by
the principle of res judicata as per Explanation 6 to section 11 and Order
I Rule 8 CPC.
The submission that declaration under section 35 of the Specific
ReliefAct since in personam and the 1995 judgment has to be considered
D in that spirit, cannot be accepted in view of the aforesaid discussion.
Moreover, in the suit culminating into 1995 judgment the relief
was not sought inter parties, it was not in personam. The reliefs that
were sought were common to Malankara Church. Thus the provisions
of section 35 cannot come to the rescue of the appellants so as to prevent
E the bar of res judicata. This Court in Razia Begum (supra) has also
observed that section 43 of the old Specific Relief Act which is
corresponding to section 35 of the Act of 1963 is not exactly of res
judicata. lt was open to the appellants to become party in the earlier
representative suit to defend the common rights which were agitated.
Thus, they cannot escape the rigour of the aforesaid provisions and res
F judicata.
72. It was submitted that disputes as to faith and worship in the
church have to be decided in their presence so as to bind the Parishioners.
In our opinion, the Parishioners were parties in the previous suit decided
in 1958 and 1995 and earlier thereto. The question cannot be reopened
G again and again by them on the ground that they were not parties
individually, otherwise the representative suit and issues as well as the
right of suing in representative capacity, would Jose entire significance.
No doubt it is true as held in Deoki Nandan v. Muralidhar 1956 SCR
756 that the true beneficiaries of religious endowments are not the idols
H but the worshippers. This principle has also been reiterated in Veruareddi
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 107
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Ramaraghava Reddy v. Konduru Seshu Reddy 1966 Supp SCR 270 A
and Bishwanath v. Shri Thakur Radhaballabhji ( 1967) 2 SCR 618.
There is no dispute with the proposition that the persons who go in only
for the purpose of devotion have a greater and deeper interest in temples
than mere servants who serve there for some pecuniary advantage.
The decisions are based on Hindu religion. However, the principle is one
B
ttflaw applicable to all religious institutions including the churches having
a public character.
73. Much was sought to be extracted from following observations
made by this Court in Para 163 of the 1995 judgment:
" ... When a particular people say that they believe in the spiritual c
superiority of the Patriarch and that it is an article of faith with
them. the Court cannot say "no; your spiritual superior is the
Catholicos". The guarantee of Article 25 of the Constitution has
also got to be kept in view. . . . In all the facts and circumstances
of the case, .it would be enough to declare that by their acts and
conduct, D-19 has accepted that they are an integral unit within D
the Malankara Church and that therefore, the 1934 Constitution
of the Malankara Church shall govern them but subject to their
own Knanaya Constitution until such time the Knanaya Church
Samudayam decides otherwise."
[Emph~sis supplied]. E
This Court with respect to Knanaya Church has made the aforesaid
observations. There is no dispute with the aforesaid observation about
the spiritual superiority of the Patriarch and that it is an article of faith .
with certain Parishioners and if for certain purpose, certain people may
believe in the spiritual superiority of Catholicos, this is not for this Court F
to say that your spiritual superior is not the Catholicos. The question of
appointment ofVicar and priests etc. is a secular matter and not a spiritual
one as discussed hereinafter. Nothing prevents the Parish1oners having
faith in the Patriarch to believe in his spiritual superiority. The question
in the .instant case is.how .the Malankara Church is to be managed. As G
per the individual faith, they can have their own management or
management has to be separated from the spiritual faith that is protected
in the right as enshrined under Article 25 of the Constitution oflndia., '
. 74. 1t was submitted that in case the declaration in the 1995
judgment that the 1934 Constitution is binding on the Parish Churches H
108 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A even in their absence as parties, it would amount to the violation of the
principle of natural justice. Forth is reliance has been placed on: John v.
Rees [1969) 2 All ER 274, National Textile Workers v. P.R.
Ramkrishnan (1983) 1SCC228 and. Institute of Chartered Accounts
v. L.K. Ratna (1986) 4 SCC 537
B 75. The submission cannot be made successfully as it ignores and
overlooks the mandate of Explanation 6 to section 11 and provision of
Order I Rule 8(6) CPC. The previous suitwas a representative suit and
the present appellants/churches are deemed to be parties in the
representative suit as they could have applied for defending their rights
or to sue as the case may be i.n the previous suits which had been decided
C by this Court. Thus there is no question of violation of the principle of
natural justice in the case in hand. It was submitted on the other hand by
Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel, that in a case of dispute as to
property right which has to be decided as per civil law only and not
ecclesiastical law, and there has to be a specific plea with regard to
D properties of each Parish Church by giving particulars of such properties
and no such plea is made by the plaintiffs in the suit out of which the
appeal arises nor it was so raised in the 1995 case. We find that the
aforesaid submission is ofno use to the present appellants. On one hand,
they have submitted that the previous 1995 judgment has left certain
issues open as to properties of Parish Church, and on the other hand,
E they are raising the aforesaid submission. However, the aforesaid
submission does not affect the declaration so granted in the instant case.
76. It was submitted that the 1995 judgment has no binding effect.
It would be having only the evidentiary value under section 13 of the
Indian Evidence Act. Reliance has been placed on the decision of this
F Court. in Sita/ Das v. Sant Ram Das AIR 1954 SC 606, Shrinivas
Krishnarao Kango v. Narayan Devji Kango 1955 I SCR I and
lirumala Tin1pati Devasthanams v. K.M Krisnaiah (1998) 3 SCC
331. We are unable to accept the submission. The finding of this Court
. which operates as res judicata is about the binding nature of the 1934
G Constitution on the Parishioners and Parish Churches. This Court has
made an exception under the aforesaid judgment with respect to Knanaya
Church. It is not open to the Parishioners to contend that they can have
their independent Constitution and not bound by the 1934 Constitution.
The l 995judgment cannot be misconstrued so as to confer the aforesaid
right upon the Parishioners. The judgment is clear, unequivocal and
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 109
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

unambiguous with respect to binding nature of the 1934 Constitution . .It . A
was submitted that the Parish Churches even after the 1934 Constitution,
can decide to make their own Constitution in the exercise of their
fundamental right to freedom of religion under Article 25 so as to follow
the faith of spiritual supremacy of the Patriarch. The submission is
attractive but is not acceptable as what is the meaning of spiritual B
supremacy, what is, inter alia, the effect of establishment of Catholicos ·
and what is the delegation of power as per Kalpana made by.the Patriarch,
what he has accepted subsequently in 1958 and 1964 and the respective
rights of management of Parish Church would have to be decided. In
our opinion, it would not be open to any faction or group to adopt any
particular system of management of.Churches and to have a parallel C
system of managing authorities under the guise of spiritual supremacy.
The mismanagement of Church and chaos cannot be permitted to be
created for temporal gains or otherwise. There is a system of
management, and the spiritual aspect which has been claimed under the
guise of spiritual supremacy in the instant case, is an effort to illegally
take over the management of the Churches by rival factions in derogatiOn D
of delegation of powers, as would be apparent from the discussion to be
made hereinafter with reference to the provisions of the Constitution
and Kalpanas. The power with respect to Orthodox Syrian Church of
the East is the Primate i.e. Catholicos. Though the Primate ofthe Orthodox
Syrian Church is the Patriarch ofAntioch. Certain spiritual powers have E
also been vested,in Malankara Metropolitan, as per section 94 of the
1934 Constitution. The prime jurisdiction regarding the temporal,
ecclesiastical and spiritual administration of the Malankara Church is
vested with the Malankara Metropolitan subject to provisions of the
Constitution and under the guise of spiritual supremacy an effort is being
F
made to obtain the appointments of Vicars and Priests as parallel
authorities so as to manage the churches and to render religious services
under~he guise of Patriarch. On the other hand, there are already Vicars
and other authorities appointed as per the 1934 Constitution. Thus under
the garb of spiritual supremacy which had reached a vanishing point due
to the establishment ofCatholicos and Kalpana, and the 1934 Constitution G
which has been accepted and is binding, a parallel system of governance
of churches would not be in the interest of the church and would destroy
.it. It is not the fight for spiritual gains but for other purposes as is apparent
from the discussion made hereinafter.
H
110 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A . 77. Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel is right in his
submission that the declaration sought in the form that the Church is
governed by the 1934 Constitution as upheld by the Supreme Court,
should not have been prayed in the form as if this Court had declared it
as it could be a ground and a legal aspect. The declaration ought to have
B been sought that the Church is governed by the 1934 Constitution only
and not adding prayer as upheld by this Court. He is right that the
declaration in such form ought not to have been sought but in our opinion
further submission is not correct that the declaration so sought, has
·adversely affected the decision of the trial court as well as the High
Court. We have gone through the decision and have found that we have
C not been influenced by the declaration caused in the aforesaid form and
no prejudice has been caused to the appellants. ·
IN RE: ABANDONMENT OF PLEAS/OBJECTIONS TO
THE REVIVAL OF THE CATHOLICATE, THE VALIDITY OF
THE 1934 CONSTITUTION.
D 78. The appellants, Patriarch faction contend that the Catholicos
being seated on the Throne of St. Thomas, etc. cannot bind them in
perpetuity. It was submitted by Shri Parasaran, leacned senior counsel
that at paras 155(6) and (7) in the majority opinion, Hon. Jeevan Reddy,
J. had observed that the Patriarch and the Patriarch group are deemed
E to have given up or abandoned all or objections with regard to the revival
of the Catholicate, validity of the 1934 Constitution, Catholicos seat on
the Throne of St. Thomas in the East and acceptance of the Patriarch
by the Catholicos 'subject to the Constitution'. He has vehemently
contended that this, however, will not mean that the appellant is perpetually
bound to remain part of the MalankaraAssociation for all times to come.
F Nor can they be disabled from pursuing their faith i.e. the Patriarch
being the spiritual superior and appointing a Vicar, performing spiritual
.ceremonies, conforming to that faith. Firstly we are unable to accept the
aforesaid submission. When the Church is a Parish Church and since
time immemorial it is a Parish Church and is a part ofMalankara Church,
G ·it has to perpetually remain as such. Under the garb of pursuing their
faith of the Patriarch being superior, they cannot create a parallel system
of appointing a Vicar for performing spiritual/religious ceremonies
conforming to that faith, as an appointment of Vicar is not a spiritual
matter. It is a secular matter. Thus the submission so as to dilute the
finding at paral55(6) and (7) of the 1995 judgment cannot be accepted.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 111
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

The decision in Sha Mulchand & Co. Ltd. v. Jawahar Mills 1954 SCR A
351, a decision of 4-JudgeBench, has been relied upon and the same is
reproduced below:
".. . Unilateral act or conduct of a person that is to say act or
conduct of one person which is not relied upon by another person
to his detriment, is nothing more than mere waiver, acquiescence B
or !aches, while act or conduct of a person amounting to· an
abandonment of his right and inducing another person to change
his position to his detriment certainly raises the bar of estoppels .
. . .·whatever be the effect of mere
Waiver, acquiescence or !aches on the part of a person on c
his claim to equitable remedy to enforce his rights under an
executory contract, it is quite clear, by the authorities, that mere
waiver, acquiescence or !aches which does not amount to an
abandonment of his right or to an estoppel against him cannot
disentitle that person from claiming relief in equity in respect of
his executed and not merely executory interest... ' D
A man who has a vested interest and in whom the legal title
lies does not and cannot lose that title by mere !aches or mere
standing by or even by_ saying that he has abandoned his right,
unless there is something more, namely inducing another party by
his words or conduct to believe the truth of that statement and to E
act upon it to his detriment; that is to say, unless there is an estoppel,
pure and simple. It is only in such a case that the right can be lost
·1
by what is loosely called abandonment or waiver, but even then if
is not. the abandonment or waiver as such which deprives him of
his title but the estoppels which prevents him from asserting that F:
his interest in the shares has not been legally extinguished, that is
to say, which prevents him from asserting that the legal forms
which in law bring about the extinguishment of his interest and
pass the title which resides_ in him to another, were not duly
observed.
G
Faz!Ali., J. and I endeavoured to explain this in Dhiyan
Singh v. Jugal Kishore -What happens is this. The person estopped
is not allowed to deny the existence of facts, namely the actings
of the parties and so.forth which would in Jaw bring about the
change in legal status, namely, the extinguishment of his own title
H
112 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A and the transfer of it to another, for estoppel is no more than a
· rule of evidence which prevents a man from challenging the
· existence or nonexistence of a fact. Once the facts are ascertained
or by a fiction of law are deemed to exist, then it is those facts
which bring about the alteration in legal status; it is not the estoppel
as such nor is it the abandonment or waiver per se" ..
8
79. It was further submitted that the decision of 4-J udge Bench is
binding on a Bench of3 Hon. Judges as laid down in S.H. Rangappa v.
State of Karnataka & Ors. (2002) I SCC 538. The decisio11of1995 is
in conflict with the observations in Sha Mulchand & Co. Ltd. (supra) .
.If estoppel was not pleaded the question of abandonment will not arise.
C It was also submitted that in Vattipanam Suit, the review was permitted
on the ground that the following findings would not be reopened:
·"(a) As to the authenticity of Ex.A~ 18, the version of Canon Law
produced by Defendants 5,6 and 42.
o {b) As to the power of Patriarch to excommunicate without the
intervention oft~e Synod; and
(c) As to the absence of an indirect motive on the part of the
Patriarch which induced him to exercise his power of
excommunication."
E In the 1995 judgment, the ex-communication of the Catholicos
was held to be invalid since there was no permissible or relevant ground
for the same. Thus it was submitted that the supremacy of Patriarch
cannot be denied by Catholicos group. Such a denial would alter the
fundamental faith of the Patriarch followers who have been forced to
F
form their own association for safeguarding their spiritual and religious
interests. We find no merit in the aforesaid submission as the decision in
Sha Mulchand & Co. (supra), is that the question of waiver,
acquiescence or !aches may sometime not amount to an abandonment
of the right or create an estoppel in certain circumstances. A man who
has a vested interest and in whom the legal title lies does not, and cannot,
G lose that title by mere !aches or by saying that he has abandoned his
right, unless there is something more; namely inducement of another
party by his words or conduct to believe the truth of that statement and
so as to make him act upon it to his detriment. Then such a person would
be bound by estoppel. It is not abandonment or waiver, which prevents
H

I I
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 113
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

him from asserting that the legal forms were not duly observed. In the A
instant ca~e the discussion which has been made in the 1995 judgment is
too elaborate and is based primarily on various historical facts and
background which clearly indicate that the Patriarch at no point of time
had exercised temporal control and it was considered necessary to
establish the office of the Catholicos so as to manage the Malankara
8
Church which is a division of the Orthodox Syrian Church. The
Malankara Church was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle and is included
in the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East and the Primate of the Church
is the Catholicos. It is apparent from Kalpana 's, establishment of the
office ofCatholicos and other historical facts discussed in the judgments
referred to in the 1995 judgment that once having created the office, it is C
not the plea of waiver or abandonment but the Kalpana issued by the
Patriarch is binding upon him also. Thus it is a positive act and once
having done so, the Patriarch is bound by itand cannot wriggle out of it
and make the entire Parish Church system topsy-turvy. Thus the 3-
Judge Bench decision in the 1995 judgment cannot be said to be contrary D
to the 4-Judge Bench decision in Sha Mulchand (supra) but on a closer
scrutiny, Sha Mulchand (supra) does not buttress the plea of the·
appellants but negotiates against it. Too much cannot be made out of the
observations made by this Court that the Patriarch carinot be said to
have lost his spiritual supremacy over the Malankara Church but the
fact that remains is that it has reached a vanishing point and the Church E
is to be managed as per the historical background, in accordance with
the 1934 Constitution which has also the force behind it of the Patriarch
himself in the form ofKalpana. The Parishioners can have faith in the
spiritual supremacy of the Patriarch but not in all the matters. They have
to give equal importance in the matter of management of the 1934
F
Constitution and cannot be permitted to commit regular breach and device
ways to circumvent the judgment of this Court by one way or the other
and under the garb of spiritual fight wrest the temporal control of the
Churches. That the spiritual power of the Patriarch has reached to a
vanishing point, has to be given the full meaning and it cannot mean that,
the powers can be exercised under the umbrella of spirituality to interfere G
in the administration of the Church and creating a parallel system of
appointing Vicars and Priests etc. which will paralyze the functioning of
the Churches for which they have been formed and it would be against
the very spirit of creation of trust from time immemorial which inheres
H
I 14 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A the concept that once a Trust always a Trust. No person under the guise
of spiritual faith can be permitted to destroy a system which is prevailing
for the management of such Churches and go on forming Constitution
as per his will time and again. There is no need in case of any such
Constitution as is framed in the year 2002. What is the guarantee that
there would not be any other Constitution created by any other faction
8
for the administration of same Churches any day hereafter or in future?
Once any Parishioner wants to change the 1934 Constitution, it is open
to them to amend it as per the procedure. It is right that it therefore is not .
a Bible or holy book of Quran or other holy books which cannot be
amended. The J934 Constitution has been amended in the form ofbye-
C laws or regulations applicable for governance of Parish churches a
number of times, as aforesaid, and it can still be amended to take care of
the legitimate grievances, if any, but there appears to be none for which
the fight has been going on unabated in the instant cases.
IN RE: PARISHIONERS HAVE A RIGHT TO FOLLOW
D THEIR OWN FAITH UNDER ARTICLE 25 AND
APPOINTMENT OF VICAR, PRIEST AND DEACONS ETC.
AND MANAGE AFFAIRS UNDER ARTICLE 26 OF THE
CONSTITUTION OF INDIA:
80. It was submitted that the Parishioners have a right to follow
E their own faith under Article 25 of the Constitution oflndia and that the
Preamble to the Constitution of India guarantees the liberty of thought,
expression, belief, faith, and worship. Article 25 guarantees to all persons,
the freedom of conscience and to profess, practice and propagate religion.
Article 26 guarantees to all religious denominations the freedom to
manage its own affairs in matters of religion. Again reliance has been
F placed upon the observations made by this Court in the 1995 judgment at
para J63 that when a particular people say that they believe in the spiritual
superiority of the Patriarch and that it is an article of faith with them, the
Court cannot say "no, your spiritual superior is Catholicos". As Article
25 permits a person to have such a faith, there is no dispute with the
G aforesaid proposition. It is open to any Parishioner to have faith in the
spiritual superiority of the Patriarch. A right to freedom of professing
one's faith and religion is enshrined in Article 25 of the Constitution
which gives freedom offaith and worship, subject to public order, morality
and health and other provisions of Part III ofthe Constitution. The freedom
is guaranteed to 'persons' as opposed to 'citizens' as in Article 19.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 115
ORTH. &.ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Therefore, each Paristrloner has a right to freedom of religion. It was A
submitted by Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel, that 'public order'
was examined by this Court in Ram Manohar Lohia v. State of Bihar
( 1966) I SCF-. 709 wherein it was observed: .
"The contravention oflaw always affects order blit before it can
be said to affect public order, it must affect the comnilmity or the B
public at large .... lt will thus appear that just as "public order" in
· the rulings of this Court (earlier cited) was said to comprehend
disorders of less gravity than those affecting "security of Staie",
"law and order". One has to imagine three concentric circles.
Law and order represent the largest circle within which is the
next circle representing public .order and the smallest circle
c
represents security of State. It is then easy to see that an act
may affect law and order but not public order just as an act may
affect public order but not the security of the State."
81. It was further submitted by him that those who believe in
apostolic succession through St. Peter forms on~ denomination (viz. D
Patriarch group) and those who believe in apostolic succession through
St. Thomas forms another denomination (viz. Catholicos group) within
the same religion (viz. Christianity). As to the concept" of denomination,
this Hon'ble Court in Commr., Hindu Religious Endowments v. Sri
Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt 1954 SCR I 005 at E
I022 held as follows:
" ... The word "denomination has been defined in the Oxford
Dictionary to mean "a coHection of individuals classed together
under the same name: a religious sect or body having a common
faith and organisation and designated by a distinctive name". F
... After Sankara, came a galaxy of religious teachers and
philosophers who founded the different sects and sub-sects of
the Hindu religion that we find in India at the present day. Each
one of such sects or sub-sects can certainly be called a: religious
denomination, as it is designated by a distinctive name - in many
cases it is the name of the founder - and has a common faith and G
common Spiritual organisation. The followers ofRamanuja, who
are known by the name ofShri Vaishnabas, undoubtedly constitute
a religious, denomination; and so do the followers of
Madhwacharya and other religious teachers,"
[Emphasis supplied] H
116 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A This Court further observed (at pgs. I 028-1029) that:
· " ... Freedom of religion in our Constitution is not confined to
religious beliefs only; it extends to religious practices as well subject
to the restrictions, which the Constitution itself has laid down.
Under Article 26(b), therefore, a religious denomination or
B organization enjoys complete autonomy in the matter of deciding
as to what rites and ceremonies are essential according to the
tenets of the religion they hold and no outside authority has any
jurisdiction to interfere with their decision in such matters. Of
course, the scale of expenses to be incurred in connection with
these religious observances would be a matter of administration
c of property belonging to the religious denomination and can be
controlled by secular authorities in accordance with any law laid
down by a competent legislature; for it could not be the injunction
of any religion to destroy the insti~ution and its endowments by
incurring wasteful expenditure on rites and.ceremonies. It should
D be noticed, however, that under Article 26(d), it is the fundamental
right Ofa religious denomination or its representative to administer
its properties in accordance with law; and the law, therefore~ must
leave the right of administration to the religious denomination itself
subject to such rest,rictions and regulations as it might choose to
impose. A law which takes away the right of administration from
E the hands of a religious denomination altogether and vests it in
any other authority would amount to a violation of the right
guaranteed under clause (d) of Article 26."
[Emphasis supplied]

F 82. It was urged that the Vicar holds a very important position in
the Church; he conducts the Holy Mass, the Confession, Anointing of
the Holy Moron arid other sacraments and ceremonies. He also collects
the donations made to a particul~r Church. When the majority of the
Parishioners who contribute to such donations belong to the Patriarch
group, the use of such contribution to further the cause ofCatholicos by
G the trustee would result in a breach of tmst of the donors and beneficiaries.
Appointment of the Vicar in a Patriarch-majority Church by th~ Catholicos
who believes in apostolic succession through St. Thomas is also not in
consonance with the faith of the Patriarch followers who believe in
apostolic succession through St Peter. Confession is one of the most
H important sacraments. Those who believe in the superiority of Patriarch
1
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 117
ORTH. & OR:S. [ARUN MISHRA; J.]

cannot be asked to make confessio~ to a Catholicos Vicar. It conflicts A
with the faith of apostolic succession through St. Peter and not through
St. Thomas.
83. On the strength of the aforesaid judgment,it was further urged
by Shri K. Parasaran, learned.seni()rcounseHhat the Patriarch group
forming a religious denomination ha5fftindamental right to decicie what B
rites should be performed in theirParlsht::hufches;whowouldperform
them and how they should be performed .in accordance with theirfaith.
It was further submitted by hirn'th~tthe Vicar holds a very important
position in the Church; lie conducts the Holy .Nfass, the Confession,
Anointing of the Holy Mor<marid other sa~m.ents and ceremonies.- He C
also collects the donations maaeto 11patticµlar Cht!i.cli: When the majority
of t~e Parishioners who.. contribute to.\:. ssil.c.h ·®11
. a~i.ons be. long to the
Patnarch group, the use of such cQttti'#mtton .to. further the cause of
Catholicos by the trustee Would result.ln,abr~ach oftrust of the donors
and beneficiaries. It was further sulJ.mitted by him a,s to the issue of
, 'faith', it is not relata~le to a particµlarCanon~ but to theltiode of apostolic D
to
succession. The faith involved in the ·preSeJitc~se refers' apostolic
successi()n from Jesus ChriSt·viz. the blessings and. Grace of Christ
descend through an apostle viz. St. Peter or St. Thomas, as the case
may be, and from the said apostle to the Pope/Patriarch who.appoint a
Vicar.
E
84. It was farther submitted by Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior
counsel that the Patriarch of Antioch is a Pope. Following apostolic
succession, through Jesus Christ and St. Peter, the sacrament descends
on the Patriarch. The Vicar primarily- holds a religious office and
represents the Patriarch, as if the Patriarch himself is present when
confession is made to the Vicar.The definition of'apostolic', as found in F
Ramanatha Aiyar's Law Lexicon (Yo LIV), is: Cl ·
•,- .·
• Having full powers to represent the Pope as. if he were present
The definition of 'Patriarch', as found in the Oxford Dictionary, is:
G
•A bishop of one of the most ancient Christian sees (Alexandria,
Antioch, Constantinople, Jerusalem, arid formerly Rome).
• The head of an autocephalous or indeperident Orthodox Church.
,·

H

'.' .
118 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R .
•

A • A Roman Catholic bishop ranking above primates and
metropolitans and immediately below the Pope, often the head
of a Uniate community.
The definition of Pope, as found in the Oxford Dictionary, is:

B
•The Bishop of Rome as head of the Roman Catholic Church.
•The head of the Coptic Church, the Bishop or Patriarch of Al
exandria.
The definition of Vicar, as found in the Oxford Dictionary, is:
• (in other Anglican Churches) a member of the clergy deputizing
c for another.
• (in the Roman Catholic Church) a representative or deputy of a
bishop.
• (in the US Episcopal Church) a member of the clergy in charge
of a chapel.
D
• A cleric or choir member appointed to sing certain parts of a
cathedral service.
85. Shri K.Parasaran, learned senior counsel, further submitted
that the act of appointment of the Vicar may be a secular act but the
office he holds is of a religious nature. The faith is that when confession
E is made to him it is transmitted to the Patriarch, then St. Peter, ultimately
reaching Jesus Christ, and then the sinner is forgiven. If the Vicar does
not owe his appointment or faith to the Patriarch, the flow of religious
efficacy and blessings flowing through Jesus Christ, through St. Peter
and then through the Patriar<:h are snapped. If confession is made to a
F Vicar who does not follow the Patriarch faith, it is not deem to be made
in the presence of the Patriarch. Merely because the appointment of
the Vicar may be a secular act, which does not lead to an inference that
the functions exercised by him are also secular. The Vicar in order to be
appointed has to meet the required spiritual qualification of owing
allegiance to the Patriarch. It is for this reason that the District Collector
G thought it fit to make an interim arrangement, which is approved by this
Court vide order dated 14. l 0.2015, under which two Vicars are appointed
- one who follows the Patriarch faith and the order who follows the
Catholicos faith. It is a sacrament for the reason that it flows through
apostolic succession as if the Patriarch himself is present when the Vicar
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 119 ·
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

• performs religious acts. That is why in the 1995 judgment, the majority A
declares the law, which is applicable to all Churches whether Malankara
Church or Parish Church at Para 163, reproduced earlier. 1
I
86. It was urged that a Vicar of a Catholicos group coul~ not be
thrust on a worshipper of Patriarch faith against his will. The freedom
guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution oflndia will prevail over B
anything contained to the contrary in the 1934 Constitution. Fundamental
rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution cannot be waived,
nor can the principle of estoppel operate against an assertion of such
rights as held in Olga Tellis v. Bombay Municipal Corporation1(1985)
3 sec 545.
c
87. Shri Anam, learned counsel, urged that as per section 10 I of
the Constitution and relying on the Canon of 1898 the Patriarch has no
right to interfere;
"The relevant provision in the Canon is extracted below :
"The Patriarch shall not be consecrated without the D
agreement of the Maphrian, if he is alive. Otherwise, the
Easterners have authority to consecrate themselves the
Maphrian." "
The canon law is an express bar from any person being
consecrated as Patriarch 'without the agreement of the Maphrian". E
,. "Maphrian" is the Catholicos of the East as evident from Chapter VII of
the same Canon. The said provision is extracted below :-
"Henceforward !he Great Metropolitan of the East has been
granted authority to consecrate metropolitans in the East, like the
patriarch and he shall be proclaimed Catholicos. When he is present F
in a synod of the westerners, his seat shall be placed above all
metropolitans, along with thepatriarch ofJerusalem."
That Maphrian is the Catholicos ofthe East is found in the judgment
of this Hon'ble Court in 1995 Suppl (4) SCC286. Thus any person
NOT consecrated in accordance with the Canon approved under G
Sec. 5 of the 1934 Constitution is not a Patriarch recognized under
Sec. I 0 I of the 1934 Constitution."
88. It was also submitted by Shri Anam, learned counsel, that the
Malankara Orthodox Church was established as early as 52 A.O. by St.
120 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Thomas, an apostle of Jesus Christ, the Patriarch came to the Indian
Church much later only in 1654. The events for more than a century
indicate that he created dissension in the Indian church and ultimately
re-established the office of the Catholicate. He submitted that b'y a
limitation of the jurisdiction and delegation there was divestiture of the
powers by the Patriarch and he could not have exercised those very
B
powers in view of the Kalpana issued by him and the 1934 Constitution.
89. It is necessary to have a look into the episcopal nature of the
Church and its history.
Meaning of the word "Episcopal" has been considered in para 79
c of l995 judgment with reference to various dictionaries by this Court
thus:
"Episcopal' is defined in Websters Comprehensive Dictionary
to mean "ofor pertaining to bishops. Having a government vested
in bishops; characterised by episcopacy", whereas 'episcopacy'
D is defined as under:
"Government of a church by bishops."
New English Dictionary of Historical Principles by Sir John
Murray, Vol. III, explains it to mean:
"Theory of Church Polity which places the supreme authority in
E
the hands of episcopal or pastoral orders."
'Episcopacy' is explained in the Faiths of the World by James
_Gardner, Vol. I, at p. 836 at under: ,
"[T]hat form of church government which recognises a distinction
F of ranks among the ministers of religion, having as its fundamental
article that a bishop is superior to a presbyter."
'Bishop' in the same book is defined as under:
"[O]ne who in episcopalian churches has the oversight of the
clergy of a diocese or district."
G
'Metropolitan' is defined in the same book at p. 445 as under:
"The bishop who presides over the other bishops of a province. In
the Latin church it is used as synonymous with an archbishop. In
England, the archbishops of Canterbury and York are both
Metropolitans .... The title was not in use before the Council of
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUVS SYRIAN 121
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Nicea in the fourth century .... The rise of the authority of A .
Metropolitans seems to have taken place without any distinct
interference on the part of the church. The Council ofNicea was
the first to give an express deliverance on the subject, particular
with reference to the Alexandrian Church. The sixth canon of
that council ran in these terms: 'Let the ancient custom which has
B
prevailed in Egypt, Libya and Pentapolis, that the bishop of
Alexandria should have authority over all these places, be still
maintained-, since this is the custom also with the Roman bishop.
In like manner, at Antioch, and inthe other provinces, the churches
shall retain their ancientprerogatives."
90. It is apparent that the Syrian Orthodox Church ofMalankara C
accept and acknowledge the theory of apostate's succession. In Faiths
of the World, the word 'episcopalians' is explained and itis stated that
it is a name given to those who hold that peculiar form of church
government that is called 'episcopacy'. The Church of Rome is
Episcopalian in its constitution, and acknowledges the Pope as Universal D
Bishop, to whom all the various orders of clergy, cardinals, primates, and
patriarchs, archbishops and bishops are subordinate. The Armenian
Church is similar in government.

H
122 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A In Black's Law Dictionary 'Congregation' is explained thus:
"An assembly or gathering; specifically, an assembly or society
of persons who together constitute the principal supporters of a
particular parish, or habitually meet at the same church for religious
exercises."
B The word is explained in the Faiths ofthe World, Vol. I, at p. 589
thus:
"This word, like the term Church (which see) is sometimes used
in a more extended and at other times in a more restricted sense.
In its widest acceptation, it includes the whole body of the Christian
c people. It is thus employed by the Psalmist when he says, 'Let
the congregation of saints praise Him.' But the word more
frequently implies an association of professing Christians, who
regularly assemble for divine worship in one place under a stated
pastor. In order t9 constitute a congregation in this latter sense of
D the term, among the Jews at least ten men are required, who
have passed the thirteenth year of their age. In every place in
which this number of Jews can be statedly assembled, they
procure a synagogue. Among Christians, on the other hand, no
such precise regulation is found, our Lord himself having declared,
'Wherever two or three are met together in my name, there am I
E in the midst of them.' Guided by such intimations of the will of
Christ, Christian sects of all kinds are in the habit of organising
congregations though the number composing them may be much
smaller than that fixed by the Jewish Rabbis."
The definitions of 'congregationalism' and 'episcopal' have been
F discussed in para 80 of the 1995 judgment thus:
"80. These definitions of'congregationalism' and 'episcopal' have
been extracted to give an idea how the expressions are understood
as the entire submission of autonomy of the churches is based on
whether the parishes are congregational or episcopal. The basic
G or essential characteristic as appears from the above definitions
and explanation of'congregationalism' and 'episcopal' is that in
the former the authority vests in the congregation whereas in the
latter it is controlled by the bishop as he is deemed to be successor
of the apostle. That the Syrian Orthodox Church of
Malankaraaccept and acknowledge the theory of apostle
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 123
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.] .

succession is beyond doubt. In Faiths of the World, the word A
'episcopalians' is explained and it is stated that it is a name given
to those who hold that peculiar form of church government which
is called' episcopacy'. The Church of Rome is Episcopalian in its
constitution, and acknowledges the Pope as Universal Bishop, to
whom all the various orders of clergy, cardinals, primates, and
B
patriarchs, archbishops and bishops are subordinate .... The
Armenian Church is similar in government to.the Greek Church,
theirCatholicos being equivalent in rank and authority to the Greek
Patriarch .... All the ancient Eastern Churches, including the Copts,
Abyssinians, and others, are Episcopalian. The Church of England
is strictly Episcopalian in its ecclesiastical constitution. The claim, c
therefore, that they are congregational cannot be accepted."
The property of the church as per the .aforesaid discussion of
Halsburys' Laws of England vests in the endowment and not in the
Parishioners. Thus the proposition that the Parish Churches are totally
autonomous and independent in temporal matters, cannot be accepted. D
92. 'Congregationalism' and 'episcopal' have also been considered
in the 1995 judgment in paragraph 152 thus :
"152. Though in para( I) of the plaint in OS No. 4 of 1979 an
as~ertion is made that "the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church
... is an autocephalous division of the Orthodox Syrian Church E
which traces its origin to Jesus Christ and his apostles'', the relief
asked for in the plaint is for a declaration "that the Malankara
Church is Episcopal in cqaracter and is not a union or federation
of autonomous church units ... ". The expression 'Episcopal'
appears to have been used in contrast to ;the expression F
'congregational'. In the absence of any material brought to our
notice with respect to the meaning of these expressions, we may
refer to para 66 of the judgment under appeal where the meaning
of these expressions has been explain~d. It reads thus:
"Episcopalism is defined in the New English Dictionary of G
Historical Principles - By Sir John Murray, Vol. III as 'Theory
of Church Polity which places the supreme authority in the hands
of episcopal or pastoral orders'. The same dictionary defines the
word congregationalism as: 'A system of ecclesiastical polity which
regards all legislative disciplinary and judicial functions as vested
H
124 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A in the individual church or local congregation of believers.'
Chambers Dictionary, Vol. 4, defines congregationalism as 'the
doctrine held by churches which put emphasis on the autonomy
ofthe individual congregations'. Congregationalism has for its sign-
manual the words of Jesus 'Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.'"
B
I53. The Division Bench also referred to the judgment of the
Kerala High Court in John v. Rev. Thomas Williams48 on the
meaning and content of the expression 'congregationalism'. The
judgment describes 'congregationalism' as one of the non-
conformist Protestant denominations. Relying upon the
c Encyclopaedia Britannica, it says that the congregationalism is
the name given to that type of church organisation in which the
autonomy of the local church or body of persons assembling in
Christian fellowship is fundamental. It constitutes one of the three
main types of ecclesiastical polity, the others being Episcopacy
D and Presbyterianism. It regards church authority as inherent in
each local body of believers, as a miniature realisation of the whole
church which can itself have only an ideal corporate being on
earth. While in practice it is religious democracy, in theory it claims r
to be a theocracy since it assumes that God himself rules directly
through Christ. It springs from the religious principle that each
E body of believers in actual church fellowship must be free of all
external human control, in order the more fully to obey the Will of
God as conveyed to conscience by His Spirit. The essential features
of congregationalism are stated to be the autonomy or
independence of the individual churches or organisations, though
F in matters in which the individual charges are interested as a whole
and in order to enable the churches to effectively fulfil their
responsibilities, they may enter into unions. Congregationalism is
stated to be the opposite of Episcopacy which means Government
of the Church by the Bishops on the theory of apostolic succession.
In other words, the Bishops are supposed to be the successors of
G the apostles of the Christ. The congregationalists believe that every
Christian has the right to perform all functions pertaining to the
priestly office and permits the laymen to celebrate sacraments
whereas in Episcopal Churches only the ordained priests can
celebrate sacraments.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 125
. .. ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.] ..

154. On a consideration of the relevant material placed before A
it, the Division Bench has held that while the Orthodox Syrian
Church including the Malankara Church is Episcopal in spiritual
matters, in temporal matters it is not Episcopal. It referred~ in our
opinion rightly, to the judgment of the Royal Court of Final Appeal
ofTravancore in Seminary suit where it is observed:
B
"Parties agree that head of Syrian Church in this country or its
Metropolitan should be a properly ordained. Bishop and that
regarding temporal affairs acceptance of Malankara Metr~pol itari
as such by ~he community is necessary."
· It was further held in the said judgment' that "while the c
ecclesiastical supremacy of the Patriarch has all along been
recognised; authority of Patriarch never extended to Government
oftemporalities of the Church". The Division Bench at the same
time clarified that it does not mean to hold that the Metropolitan
has the jurisdiction over the day-to-day management of temporal
affairs of Parish Churches. The Division Bench has also referred D
to the Mulanthumthy Synod resolutions which say that the Parish
Churches have a degree of autonomy with certain supervisory
powers alone being vested in the Managing Committee of the
Association or Catholicos or the Malankara Metropolitan, as the
case may be. The Division Bench has held th~t: E
"Malankara Church though it has some episcopa~ characteristics
is not a purely episcopal church. But we are not able to agree that
the individual Parish Churches are independent churches or
churches with independent status .. ~. The Parish Churches are
constituent parts of the Malankara Church and enjoy a degree of F
autonomy and the administration of the day-to-day affairs vests
in the Parish Assembly and committee elected by the Parish
Assembly subject to supervisory powers of the Metropolitan -
and the provisions of the constitution of the Malankara Sabha do
not affect this position."
G
We are, however, of the opinion that in this suit no declaration
can be granted affecting the rights of Parish Churches in their
absence nor can it be .declared that the properties held by
Malankara Parish Churches vest in the Catholicos or the
Malankara Metropolitan or the Metropolitan of the diocese
H
126 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A concerned, as the case may be. Indeed, no such specific relief
has been asked for in the suit and without imp leading the affected
parties, no declaration can be claimed by the plaintiffs that their
church is episcopal in nature, ifthat declaration means that it gives
the Catholicos/Malankara Metropolitan/the Metropolitan of the
Diocese any title to or any control over"the properties held by the
B
Parish Churches. We have pointed out hereinbefore that the only
place in the plaint where a reference is made to the properties of
the Parish Churches is in para 24 where all that it is alleged is that
the defendants and their partisans are trying to intermeddle in the
affairs of individual churches and are attempting to make use of
c the properties of the church to further their illegal and unlawful
objects. No list of parish properties is enclosed nor are the
particulars of the alleged intermeddling mentioned in the plaint. In
the state of such a pleading, the only observation that can be
made herein is that the 1934 Constitution shall govern and regulate
the affairs of the Parish Churches too, insofar as the said
D
Constitution provides for the same. In this connection, the learned
counsel for the appellants has brought to our notice the following
facts: Inasmuch as the plaintiffs asked for a declaration that
Malankara Church is an Episcopal Church and appended a list of
more than one thousand churches to their plaint, several Parish
E Churches came forward with applications under Order I Rule
10(2) of the Civil Procedure Code to implead themselves as
defendants to the suit. All the applications were dismissed by the
trial Judge against which a batch of civil revision petitions was
filed before the Kerala High Court being CRPs Nos. 1029 of
1975 and batch. It was contended by the revision petitioners (Parish
F Churches who were seeking to be impleaded in the suit) that if
the first relief prayed for in OS No. 142 of 1974 (OS No. 4 of
1979) is granted, it will affect the autonomy and individuality of
the individual Parish Churches and, therefore, they should be
impleaded as defendants to the suit. This argument was repelled
G by Khalid, J. (as he then was) in the following words:
"I do not think that this apprehension is well-founded. Even
under Order I Rule l 0 a party does not have any inherent right to
get himself impleaded: that lies in the discretion of the court on
being satisfied that the petition is well-founded on merits. The
H counsel for the contesting respondents (plaintiffs) would contend
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 127
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

that all that the plaintiffs want is for a declaration of the superviSOQ' A
and spiritual control over the Church."
(Emphasis supplied)
Accordingly, the revision petitions were dismissed. If the
pJaintiffs mean merely spiritual control by saying episcopal,
probably there may be no difficulty in holding that Catholicos and B
the Malankara Metropolitan have spiritual control over the Parish
Churches, but if it means control over temporal affairs of, or title
to or control over the properties of the Parish Churches beyond
what is provided for in the Constitution, a declaration to that effect
can be obtained only after hearing and in the presence of the c
Parish Churches concerneA.,)t also appears that each of these
Parish Churches/Associations has its own constitution, whereunder
the general body of the Parishes is declared to be the final authority
in temporal matters. All this is mentioned only to emphasise that
in the absence of the Parish Churches and proper pleadings and
proof. no declaration touching the Parish Churches can be granted D
in these suits. In para I03 or'its judgment, the Division Bench has
held that while the Malankara Metropolitan has supervisory
jurisdiction over the Parish properties as provided in the 1934
Constitution, it cannot be said that the administration of the Parish
properties vests in him. It held that the' administration vests in E
Parish Assemblies or Parish Churches, subject again to the
provisions of the Constitution. In sum, we observe that the
1934 Constitution governs the affairs of the Parish Churches
too insofar as it does. The power of the Malankara Metropolitan
or the Metropolitan in temporal affairs must be understood in these
suits too in the same manner as has been declared in Samudayam · F
judgment, i.e., with respect to the common properties of the
Malankara Church as such."
(emphasis supplied)
93. ln "The Encyclopedia of Religion", edited by Mircea Eliade, G
vol. 3, "Church Polity" has been discussed, its origin and system of
appointment of deacons etc. Eventually all the dioceses and provinces
of the Roman empire are subject to one of the five Patriarchs ("father-
ruler), namely, the bishops of Rome, Antioch, Alexandria, Jerusalem,
and Constantinople. Relevant portion is extracted hereunder:
H
128 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A "The governance of the Christian churches has assumed a variety
of forms based on historical factors as well as on theological
positions regarding the origin or root of ministerial functions. In a
descending degree of local autonomy these forms are broadly
classified as congregational. presbyter. or Episcopal. but within
each category significant modifications exist. After a historical
B
survey of church governance from its beginnings through the
middle Ages, the organization of the major denominations will be
considered individually.
One cannot speak with precision or certitude about ministry
in the early church because it is difficult to date and evaluate the
c documentary evidence, including the New Testament writings,
and because of differences of organization in the primitive local
communities. At the conclusion of an eighty-year evolutionary
process there emerged, apparently first at Antioch around AD
110, a threefold hierarchical leadership that gradually became
D normative throughout the Christian world. The hierarchy ("sacred
rule") consisted of three grades: a single bishop charged with the
"supervision or over-sight" (episcope) of the community; a group
of consultors called presbyters ("elders"); and a subordinate group
of deacons, who assisted in the administration of property. Certain
functions, such as presiding at the Eucharist, were ordinarily
E reserved to the bishop. The distinction was thus made between·
the people and their leaders, soon called "clergy." who were
ordained. that is. set apart for the ministry by the imposition of the
bishop's hands. The local church presided over by the bishop
was in time known as a ''diocese" or "eparchy".
F Church organization gradually accommodated itself to the
political divisions of the Roman Empire. The local churches in a
Roman province constituted an ecclesiastical province under the
presidency of an archbishop or metropolitan who was the bishop
of the capital city of the province. By the fourth century the
G beginnings of a patriarchal system could be detected in the large
regional groupings of provinces. Eventually all the dioceses and
provinces of the empire were subject to one of five patriarchs
("father-rule"), namely. the bishops of Rome. Antioch. Alexandria.
Jerusalem, and Constantinople. The prominence of these

H
. ,_

K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 129
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

bishoprics may be accounted for on grounds partly theological . A
and partly political."
[emphasis supplied]
94. In 'The Encyclopedia ofReligion' by Macmillan Publishing
Co., New York, Vol. 3, Orthodox and other Eastern churches have been
dealt with at page 475. The relevant portion is extracted hereunder:. B
"Orthodox and other Eastern churches. The Eastern Orthodox
and other Eastern churches are firmly committed to apostolic
succession and the episcopacy. The Eastern Orthodox churches
accept the first seven ecumenical councils (through the Second
Council ofNicaea in 787), as do Roman Catholics. The smaller c
Eastern churches, refusing to recognize the third (Ephesus, 432)
and fourth (Chalcedon, 451) ecumenical councils, are divided into
two Nestorian churches and four others known collecti".ely as
non-Chalcedonian Orthodox. [See Nestorian Church; Armenian
Church; Coptic Church; Ethiopian Church;-and Syrain Orthodox
Church of Antioch] - D
The Eastern Orthodox church is not centrally organized but
is a federation composed of fourteen autocephalous. or self-
governing. churches and seven others. which are known as
autonomous. "Autocephaly" connotes the right possessed by ia
group of eparchies (dioceses) to settle all internal matters on their E
own authority and to elect their own bishops. including the head
of the church. The boundaries of autocephalies are usually
conterminous with those of a state or nation. Four of these
autocephalies (Constantinople, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem)
are based upon ancient Christian tradition, as has already been
F
noted. The remaining ten have resulted from modern political
developments: Russia, !lomania, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia,
Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Albania. The autonomous
churches, while to a large degree self-governing, have not' yet
achieved full independence: Finland, China, Japan, Macedonia,
and three jurisdictions among Russions outside the Soviet Union. (J
(The head· of the monastery of Saint Catherine has the rank of
archbishop of Sinai; his jurisdiction over the immediate
neighbourhood constitutes an autonomous church.) [See also Easter
Christianity.]"
[emphasis supplied] H
130 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A It is apparent that the Eastern and other churches are Episcopal
and there is a right possessed by a group of eparchies(dioceses) to settle
all internal matters on their own authority and to elect their own bishops,
including the head of the church.
95. In Halsbury's Laws of England, Sth Edn., vol. 34 relating to
B ecclesiastical law, the Constitution of Church of England has been dealt
with elaborately. Para 140 deals with appointment of archbishops. The
appointment is by election pursuant to the licence granted by the Sovereign
under the Great Seal. An Archbishop has authority to visit and inspect
the Bishops and inferior clergy ofhis province. The appointment of bishops
is by the Crown. It has been dealt with in para 179 and para 183 deals
C with election of bishop by college of canons. Upon the avoidance of a
bishopric, the Crown grants to the college of canons of the cathedral a
licence under the Great Seal to proceed to the election of a bishop, with
a letter containing the name of the person to be elected. The person
nominated must be elected and chosen by the college of canons to the
D void bishopric within 12 days. The consecration of bishop is by archbishop
as provided in Para 189 and it is only a bishop who can ordain priests or
deacons as provided in para 197.
96. In England in Parish Churches also it is the bishop or diocese
that sets in the procedure for appointment of priests. The Diocese appears
E to be the in charge within the territory diocese operates with respect to
such matters. There can be in future process also. Such procedure is
detailed in the booklet for Diocese of Exeter.
97. As per 'Diocese of Southwark' a Parish church in England
the priests are again appointed by the procedure initiated by Diocese.
F Diocese appoints a designated officer to act as contact person between
the interested parties and to till the vacancy of a priest. In Udampady
also which have been placed on record of 1913 and 1890 procedure for
appointment of Vicar and priests etc. has not been provided. On the
other hand, it appears that at no point of time the appointment of Vicar/
priests, deacons has been made by the Patriarch. There is no such material
G placed on record indicating that the Patriarch at any point of time prior
to has exercised such a power.
98. Before dilating further on the issue, it is also necessary to
discuss about the meaning of religious rights, spiritual rights, temporal
and secular rights.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN , 131
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA. J.]

The word 'religion' has been defined in Oxford dictionary thus: A
Religion: the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling
power, expecially a personal God or gods: ideas about the
relationship between science and religion.
C details of belief as taught or discussed: children should be taught
religion in schools.Ca particular system of faith and worship: the B
world's great religions. Ca pursuit or interest to which someone
ascribes supreme importance: consumerism is the new religion.
The word 'religion' has been defined in Black Law Dictionary as:
"A system of faith and worship usu. involving belief in a supreme
being and. usu. containing a moral or ethical code; esp. such a C
system recognised and practiced by a particular church, sect, or
denomination.
0
In construing the protections under the Establishment Clause
and the Free Exercise Clause, courts have interpreted the term D
religion quite broadly to include a wide variety of theistic and
nontheistic beliefs."
99. Religion is a very vide expression. With the virtue, as founded
on reverence of God, is a system ofDivine Faith and Worship as opposed
. to others. As observed in Tom/ins Law Dictionary religion is a habit of
reverence towards the Divine nature, whereby we are enabled and E
inclined to serve and worship after such a manner as have conceived
most ac.ceptable is called religion. Religion is ordinarily understood to
mean some system of faith and practice resting on the idea of the existence
of God that creates and rules. Religion in generic means the religion of
man and not the religion of any class of men. In Commissioner of F
H.R.E. v. Sri Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar, Sri Shrirur Mutt. AIR
1954 SC 282, it has been observed that religion is certainly a matter of
faith with individuals or communities and it is not necessarily theistic.
There are well known religions which do not believe in God or any
intelligent first cause. A religion undoubtedly has its basis in a system of
beliefs and doctrines which are regarded by those who propose that G
religion as conducive to their spiritual well being, but it would not be
correct to say that religion is nothing else but a doctrine of belief. There
are teaching also which differs from religion. The teachings of Shri
Aurbindo are only philosophy and not religion as observed by this Court
in SP. Mitta/ v. Union of India, AIR 1983 SC I. H
132 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20 J7] 9 S.C.R.

A I00. Religion is a collection of cul~ural system, bel.ief systems that
establishes symbols which relate humanity· to spirituality and sometimes
to moral values. There are 19 major religious groupings in the world and
from them a total of I0,000 distinct religions exists. Although only about
270 of those have half a million or more followers. In the US alone over
B 2500 different religious faith entities can be observed. Religion is an
institution established by man for various reasons.
The word 'spiritual' has been defined in Oxford dictionary thus:
"1. of, relating to, or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed .
to material or physical things: I'm responsible for his spiritual
c welfare Ithe spiritual values of life .
.a (of a perso"'n) not concerned with material values or pursuits.
2. of or relating to religion or religious belief; Iran's spiritual
leaders.
D
(also negro spiritual) A religious song of a kind associated with
black Christians of the southern US, and thought to derive from
the combination of European hymns and African musical elements
by black slaves.
E "
A spiritual person is one who seeks to value and connect himself
to higher power or simply his higher self.
The word 'spiritual' has been defined to mear in Black~ Law
F Dictionary as of or relating to ecclesiastical rather than secular matters.
I0 I. Spiritualism is alien to temporalism. One whose desire is for .
temporal gains, cannot be said to be on the spiritual path. Same are
aliens to each other. One who is really spiritual is far away from the
temporal desires. Mere spirit.ual knowledge (gyan) is not enough. Spiritual
G wisdom is necessary to be really a spiritual person as said by Lord
Krishna in the Gita. Shri Ram Krishna Paramhans, the Indian mystic,
has given a simple comparison to distinguish between the two, i.e. gyan
.and vigyan. Gyan is knowledge and wisdom is vigyan. A person who
has only heard of milk, is ignorant. One who has seen the milk has gyan.
H But one who has drunk milk and become strong has attained vigyan.
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 133
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

I02. Spirituality is born and develops in a person. It may be kick A
started by religion or revelation. Religion is a manifestation of the flesh.
But spirituality as defined by the God as manifestation of his nature.
True spirituality is something which is found deep within oneself. It can
also be said that spirituality is a form ofreligion but a private and personal
form of religion. Spirituality is more personal and private while religion B
tends to incorporate public rituals and organised doctrines. A twilight
zone. Religion and spirituality are two distitict terms associated with
faith. Spirituality is more abstract than religion. Religion usually promote
a creed and define code of ethics. Spirituality exists in the nebulous
realm of the undefinable. Spirituality is a supernatural form of
transformation. · C
103. ln "Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics by James Hastings
'spirituality has been defined as:
"The term 'spirituality' has been used in a great variety of ways.
The French have appropriated it as the name for the finer
perceptions of life; by the American transcendentalists it is used D
as a special mark of superior intellects; it is often applied to those
mediums through whom communications from departed spirits
are said to reac,!1 common earth; Evangelical Christianity reserves
the term to describe the warmer religious emotions; and it has its
peoper and peculiar application as the distinguishing quality ofNI' E
believers."
The substantive 'spirituality' does not occur in Scripture, but the
adjective 'spiritual' 'is frequently employed to describe the character of
the man who has entered the Kingdom of God. Such a man has the
Holy Spirit as the vital, determining principle of his life. Such usage does F
not permit us to apply the epithet to any one who has been moved in
some vague way by holy impulses, for a definite and well-marked
character as indicated by this description. Of spiritual persons Newman
writes: He [the holy Spirit] pervades us (if it may be so said) as light
pervades a building, or as a sweet perfume the folds of some honourable
robe; so that, in Scripture language, we are said to be in Him, and He in G
us."
. ,..

Swamy Chidanand Saraswatiji has defined spirituality in "the
Essence of Spirituality - Service of Others" as:
"The essence of spirituality is service. As one goes deeper and H
134 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A deeper on a spiritual path and as one gets closer to Realisation
and Enlightenment, one realises that the Divine resides in all. One
begins to see God's presence in every person, every animal, and
every plant."
The first line in the lshopanishad says:
B Isha vaasyamidam sarvam
Yat kincha jagatyaam jagat
Tena tyaktena bhunjeethaa
Maa gradhah kasya svid dhanam

c This mantra tells us that God is manifest in everything in the
universe. Alli& Him and all is pervaded by Him. There is nothing which
is not God.
In the Bhagvat Gita, Bhagwan Krishna says, "/am the Self, 0
Gudakesha, seated in the hearts of all beings: I am the Beginning,
D the Middle and also the End of all beings. " When we embark on a
spiritual path, or as we walk the path, we must dedicate ourself to
cultivating the divine vision and awareness with which we can see the
Divine in all.
Eytmologically, the English word 'spirituality' is a derivative of
E the word 'spirit' which means "animating or vital principle in man and
animals". The term 'spiritual' means "concerning the spirit", which is
derived from Latin spiritualis, which comes from ''spiritus" or "spirit".
Spirituality was meant to imply the mental aspect of life, as opposed to
the material and sensual aspects.
F Vedantic philosophy lies at the core of Hindu spirituality from the
hoary past down to present. According to the tradition, is the process of
realisation of this axiomatic truth. The obvious corollary is that one who
has realised this truth does not make any distinction between man and
any sub-human species and also does not discriminate one man from
G another, given the fact that God is at core of every evolved form including
human. ·
I04. In Words and Phrases, Permanent Edition, 39A. 'Spiritualism'
and 'spiritualist' have been defined on the strength ofthe decisions referred
therein thus :
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 135
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

"SPIRITUALISM A
The word "spiritualism" immediately suggests mediums. In re
Lockwood's Estate, 25 A.2d 168, 169, 344 Pa; 293.
A beliefin communication with dead people by letters ad telephone
and other physical and material means goes beyond a normal belief
in spiritualism, since the words "spiritualism" or "spirit" would 8
indicate that such communication, if at all possible, would be by
spiritual inspirations through a higher power ratherthan by natural
or physical materials, such as letters and telephone invented and
controlled by man. Compton V. Smit, 150 S.W.2d 657, 660, 286
Ky. 179. C
.
A guaranty of $15 to remunerate a medium for conducting
spiritualistic seance as religious ceremony in the worship of God
and creation of the fund by voluntary contributions of
communicants of Spiritualistic Church do not constitute "gain"
within statute forbidding public seancesfor gain. Comp. St.1929,$ D
28-1111. A"medium" is one whose organism is sensitive to vibration
from the spirit world and through whose instmmentality intelligences
in that world are able to convey messages and produce the
phenomena of "spiritualism". A "seance" is the form of worship
.designated by the ordinance and cannons of the Spiritualistic
Church and constitutes one of the most formal and solemn religious E
services of the church. Dill v. Hamilton, 291 N.W. 62, 65, 137
Neb. 723.
"Spiritualism" may be denied as a belief in the power of some
departed spirits to communicate with the living by means of
mediums. City of Chicago v. Payne, 160 III. App. 641,642. F
"Spiritualism" is a form ofreligious belief which should not be
inquired into in a judicial proceedings, and undue influence of a
donor is not to be inferred merely from the fact that he and the
done were Spiritualists. Watson v. Holmes, 140 N.Y.S. 727, 731,
80 Misc.48. G
SPIRITUALIST
A spiritualist is a believer in spiritualism; or one claiming to have
some power, through intercourse with the spirit world, or the hidden
power of occultism, to divine the thoughts of others; or who holds
H
136 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A communications with departed and disembodied spirits; also one
who professes a regard for spiritual things only. Johnson v. State,
65 So.218, 220, 107 Miss. 196, SI L.R.A., N.S., 1183."
IOS. The word 'temporal' has been defined in Oxford dictionary
thus:
B "1. Relating to worldly as opposed to spiritual affairs; secular.
2. of or relating to time.
a relating to or denoting time or tense.''
Temporal means worldly, earthly. In Black Law Dictionary the
word 'temporal" is defined to mean civil or political power as distinguished
C from ecclesiastical power.
I06. Thus, we are unable to accept the submissions raised by Shri
· K. Parasaran, learned 'senior counsel for various reasons. The
~ppointment of Vicar is not a spiritual matter but is a secular matter.
This Court has in Bhuri Nath & Ors. v. State ofJ&K & Ors. ( 1997) 2
.D SCC 745 considered the question for the appointment of priests and the
nature of the right of appointment of priests in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine Board. The priests were performing Puja as per the customary
rites and section 2 of the Jammu & Kashmir Shri Mata Vaishno Devi
Shrine Act, 1988 gave overriding effect to the Act over any contrary
custom, usage or instrument. It declared that the Act shall have the
E overriding effect thereon. This Court referred to A.S. Narayana
Deekshitulu v. State ofA.P. & Ors. ( 1996) 9 SCC 548 where section
144 of the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions
and Endowments Act, 1987 abolished the right of the appellants to receive
offerings with the abolition of the hereditary rights of Archaka service.
F The question arose whether it offended the religion or protection of
Articles 25 and 26. It was held that the word 'religion' used in Articles
25 and 26 of the Constitution is personal to the person having faith and
belief in the religion. The Religion is that which binds a man with his
Cosmos, his Creator or super force. Essentially religion is a matter of
personal faith and belief or personal relations of an individual with what
G he regards as The Cosmos, his Maker or his Creator that; he believes,
regulates the existence ofinsentient beings and the forces of the universe.
Religion is not necessarily theistic. Areligion undoubtedly has its basis in
a system of beliefs and doctrine that are regarded by those who profess
religion to be conducive to their spiritual well being. The right to religion
H guaranteed under Article 25 or26 is not an absolute or unfettered right
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 137
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

but is subject to legislation by the State limiting or regulating any activity A
- economic, financial, political or secular which is associated with the
religious belief, faith, practice or custom. They are subject to reform as
social welfare by appropriate legislation by the State. Though religious
pracJices and performance of acts in pursuance of religious belief are as
much as a part of religion, as faith or belief in a particular doctrine, that
8
. by itself is not conclusive or decisive. What are essential parts 'ofreligion
or religious belief or matters of religion and religious practice is essentially
a question of fact to be considered in the context in which the question
has arisen and the evidence - actual or legislative or historic - presented
in that context is required to be examined and a decision reached. In
secularizing the matters of religion that lire not essentially and integrally C ·
parts of religion, sec1,1larism, therefore, consciously denolinces all forms
of supernaturalism or superstitious beliefs or actions and acts that are
not essentially or integrally matters of religion or religious belief or faith
or religious practice. A balance, therefore, has to be struck between the
rigidity of right to religious belief and faith and their intrinsic restrictions D
in matters of religion, religious beliefs or religious practices guaranteed
under the Constitution. This Court has distinguished between religious
service and the person who performs the service; in the aforesaid
decision. The performance ofthe religious service according to the tenets,
Agamas, customs, and usages prevalent in the temple etc. is an integral
part of the religious faith and belief and to that extent, the,!_egislature E
cannot intervene to regu,late. But the service of the priest or Archaka is
a secular part. The hereditary right as such is not an integral part of the
religious practic.e but a source to secure the s.ervices of a priest
independent of it. Though the performance of the ritua Iceremonies is an
integral part of the religion, the person who performs the ceremonies is F
not a part of spiritual ceremonies itself. With respect to spiritual ceremonies
right can be claimed but not with respect to the person who performs it
or associates himself with the performance of spiritual ceremonies which
is not a right under Article 25. This is a secular right. The custom or
usage in that behalf was held not as an integral part of religion. It was
held that the legislature has the power to regulate the appointment of G
. Archaka, emoluments, and abolition of customary share in the offerings
to the Deity. This Court has held thus:
"There is a distinction between religious service and the person
who performs the service; performance of the religious service
H
138 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A according to the tenets, Agamas, customs, and usages prevalent
in the temple etc. is an integral part of the religious faith and belief
and to that extent, the legislature cannot intervene to regulate.
But the service of the priest (Archaka) is a secular part. The
hereditary right as such is not an integral part of the religious
practice but a source to secure the services of a priest independent
B
ofit. Though the performance of the ritual ceremonies is an integral
part of the religion, the person who performs it or associates
himself with the ·performance of ritual ceremonies is not.
Therefore, when the hereditary right to perform service in the
temple can be terminated or abolished by the sovereign legislature,
c it can equally regulate the service conditions sequel to the abolition
of the hereditary right of succession in the office of an Archaka.
Though an Archaka integrally associates himself with the
performance of ceremonial rituals and daily pooja to the Deity, he
is the holder of an office of priest in the temple. He is subject to
the discipline on a par with other members of the establishment.
D
Abolition of emoluments attached to the office of the Archaka,
therefore, cannot be said to be invalid. The customs or usages in
that behalf were held not an integral part of the religion. It was,
therefore, held that the legislature has the power to regulate the
appointment of the Archaka, emoluments, and abolition of
E customary share in the offerings to the Deity. The same ratio
applies to the facts in this case."
I 07. In Pannalal Bansilal Patil & Ors. Etc. v. State of Andhra
Pradesh & Anr., AIR 1996 SC1023, Section 144 of Andhra Pradesh
Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Act (Act
f 30 of 1987) was questioned, which dealt with abolition of shares of
trustees etc. This Court held that abolition of system of payment is a
matter of legislative wisdom and policy and by this there is no violation
of rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India.
108. InA.S. Narayana Deekshitulu (supra), this Court considered
G the concept ofreligion under Article 25 of the Constitution ofindia. This
Court considered the rituals of various types and made a distinction as
follows:
"39. Swami Vivekananda in his lecture on "Religion and Science"
incorporated in "The Complete Works" (Vol. VI, Sixth Edition)
H had stated at page 81 thus:
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 139
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

"Experience is the only source of knowledge. In the word, A
religion is the only science where there is no surety, because it is
not taught as a science of experience. This should not be. There
is always, however, a small group of men who teach religion from
experience. They are called mystics, and these mystics in every
religion speak the same tongue and teach the same truth. This is
the real science of religion. As mathematics in every part of the B
world does not differ, so the mystics do not differ. They are all
similarly constituted and similarly situated. Their experience is
the same; and this becomes law."
In Volume II, Ninth Edn. At page 432, Swamiji said that:
c
"There are two worlds; the microcosm and the macrocosm, the
internal and the external. We get truth from both these by means
of experience. The truth gathered from internal experience is
psychology, metaphysics and religion; from external experience,
the physical sciences. Now a perfect truth should be in harmony
with experience in both these worlds. The microcosm must bear D
testimony to the macrocosm and the macrocosm to the microcosm;
physical truth must have its counterpart in the internal world, and
internal world must have its verification outside.
80. The importance of rituals in religious life is relevant for
evocation of mystic and symbolic beginnings of the journey but on E
them the truth of a religious experience cannot stand. The truth of
a religious experience is far more direct, perceptible and important
to human existence. It is the fullness of religious experience which
must be assured by temples, where the images of the Lord in
resplendent glory is housed~ To them all must have an equal right F
to plead and in a manner of such directness and simplicity that
every human being can approach the doors of the Eternal with
equality and with equal access and thereby 'exercise greater
freedom in his own life. It is essential that the value of law must
be tested by its certainty in reiterating the Core of Religious
Experience and if a law seeks to separate the non-essential from G
the essential so that the essential can have a greater focus of
attention in those who believe in such an experience, the object of
such a law cannot be described as unlawful but possibly somewhat
visionary."
H
I.

140 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R. _,

A 109. This Court in A.S. Narayana Deekshitulu (supra) has also
held that religion in Articles 25 and 26 has to be construed in its strict and
etymological sense. Every aspect of religion is not safeguarded by the
Constitution. This Court held as follows:
"89. A religion undoubtedly has its basis in a system of beliefs and
B doctrine which are regarded by those who profess religion to be
conducive to their spiritual well-being. A religion is not merely an
opinion, doctrine or belief. It has outward expression in acts as
well. It is not every aspect ofreligion that has been safeguarded
by Articles 25 and 26 nor has the Constitution provided that every
religious activity cannot be interfered with. Religion, therefore,
c cannot be construed in the context of Articles 25 and 26 in its
strict and etymological sense. Every religion must believe in a
conscience and ethical and moral precepts. Therefore, whatever
binds a man to his own conscience and whatever moral or ethical
principles regulate the lives of men believing in that theistic,
D conscience or religious belief that alone can constitute religion as
understood in the Constitution which fosters feeling of brotherhood,
amity, fraternity and equality of all persons which find their foothold
in secular aspect of the Constitution. Secular activities and aspects
do not constitute religion which brings under its own cloak every
human activity. There is nothing which a man can do, whether in
E the way of wearing clothes or food or drink, which is not considered
a religious activity. Every mundane or human activity was not
intended to be protected by the Constitution under the guise of
religion. The approach to construe the protection of religion or
matters of religion or religious practices guaranteed by Articles
F 25 and 26 must be viewed with pragmatism since by the very
nature of things, it would be extremely difficult, if not impossible,
to define the expression religion or matters ofreligion or religious
belief or practice.
90. In pluralistic society like India, as stated earlier, there are
G numerous religious groups who practise diverse forms of worship
or practise religions, rituals, rites etc.; even among Hindus, different
denominants and sects residing within the country or abroad
profess different religious faiths, beliefs, practices. They seek to
identify religion with what may in substance be mere facets of
religion. It would, therefore, be difficult to devise a definition of
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 141
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

religion which would be regarded as applicable to all religions or A
matters of religious practices. To one class of persons a mere
. dogma or precept or a doctrine may be predominant in the matter
of religion; to others, rituals or ceremonies may be predominant
facets of religion; and to yet another class of persons a code of
conduct or a mode of life may constitute religion. Even to different B
persons professing the same religious faith some of the facets of
religion may have varying significance. It may not be possible,
therefore, to devise a precise definition of universal application as
to what is religion and what ·are matters of religious belief or
religious prac;tice. That is far from saying that it is not possible to
state with reasonable certainty the limits within which the C
Constitution conferred a right to profess religion. Therefore, the
right to religion guaranteed under Article 25 or 26 is not an absolute
or unfettered right to propagating religion which is subject to
legislation by the State limiting or regulating any activity -
economic, financial, political or secular which are associated with J)
religious belief, faith, practice or custom. They are subject to reform
on social welfare by appropriate legislation by the State. Though
religious practices and performances of acts in pursuance of
religious belief are as much a part of religion as faith or belief in a
particular doctrine, that by itself is not conclusive or decisive. What
are essential parts of religion or religious belief or matters of religion E
and religious practice is essentially a question of fact to be
considered in the context in which the question has arisen and the
evidence - factual or legislative or historic - presented in that
·1 context is required to be considered and a decision reached."

110. This Court also dealt with the proposition whether abolition F
of hereditary right to appointment was violative ofArticles 25 and 26 of
the Constitution. It was held that hereditary right is not essential part of
religion or matter of religion or religious practice in A.S. Narayana
Deekshitulu (supra), this Court held as under:
"119. The real question, therefore, is whether appointment of an G
archaka is governed by the usage and whether hereditary
succession is a religious usage? If it is religious usage, irwould
fall squarely under Article 25(1 )(b) of the Constitution. That
0
question was posed in Seshammal's case wherein this Court
considered and held that though archaka is an accomplished person,
H
142 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A well-versed in the Agamas and rituals necessary to be performed
in a temple, he does not have the status of a head of the temple.
He o~es his appointment to Dharmakarta or Shebait. He is a
servant of the temple. In K. Seshadri Aiyangar v. Ranga Bhattar
the Madras High Court had held that status of hereditary archaka
of a temple is that of a servant, subject to the disciplinary power
B of the trustee who would enquire into his conduct as servant and
would be entitled to take disciplinary action against him for
misconduct. As a servant, archaka is subject to the discipline and
control of the trustee. The ratio therein was applied and upheld by
this Court and it was held that under Section 56 of the Madras
c Act archaka is the holder of an office attached to a religious
institution and he receives emoluments and perks according to
the procedure therein. This Court had further held that the act of
his appointment is essentially a secular act. He owes his
appointment to a secular authority. Any lay founder of a temple
may appoint an archaka. The Shebait or Manager of temple
D exercises essentially a secular function in choosing and appointing
the archaka. Continuance of an archaka by succession to the
office from generation to generation does not make any difference
to the principle of appointment. No such hereditary archaka can
claim any right to the office. Though after appointment the archaka
E performs worship, it is no ground to hold that the appointment is
either religious practice or a matter of religion. It would thus be
clear that though archaka is normally a well-versed and
accomplished person in the Agamas and rituals necessary to be
··· performed in a temple, he is the holder of an office in the temple.
He is subject to the disciplinary power ofa trustee or an appropriate
F
authority prescribed in the regulations or rules or the Act. He
owes his existence to an order of appointment - be it in writing
or otherwise. He is subject to fhe discipline on a par with other
members of the establishment. Though after appointment, as an
integral part ofthe daily rituals, he performs worship in accordance
G with theAgama Shastras, it is no ground to hold that his appointment
is either a religious practice or a matter of religion. It is not an
essential part ofreligion or matterofreligion or religious practice.
Therefore, abolition of the hereditat)' right to appointment under
Section 34 is not violative of either Article 2S( l) or Article 26(b)
of the Constitution.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 143
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

120. It is true that the position of the office of Pedda Jeengar or A
Chinna Jeengar as a religious head in the context of mathadhipathi
ofRamanuja sect was upheld by the Privy Council, yet as regards
his right in the Lord Venkatarainana temple, he performs the office
as a nominee and, therefore; he als°o owes his existence to the
nomination which is antithesis to hereditary succession. Every B
Mirasidar or. Gamekar equally cannot claim hereditary right to
continue to perform the duties from generation to generation. They
·all are servants or members of the establishment !fable to
disciplinary jurisdiction. Consequently, they stand along with the
· priest (archaka) of the temple of Sri Balaji. It is tme that hereditary
rights of archaka or other officecholders are in vogue in most of C
the State Acts and no attempt therein appears to have been made
to abolish them, yet their inaction or omission to amend the law is
no ground to hofd that the legislature lacks the- power to do so or
that they are in violation of the Constitution. In fact, it is not the
submission ofShri Parasaran that the legislature lacked competence D
to enact Sections 34 and 144 of the Act. Therefore, the abolitiOn
of their rights do not violate either Article 25(1) or Article 26(b) of
the Constitution.
124. A conjoint reading thereof preserves the existing customs,
performances, religious worships, ceremonies and poojas according
to Sampradayams and Agamas followed in such. institutions. E
Section 142 issues an injunction against an officer from interfering
with such -observances. Yet it would not, by operation thereof,
amount to revival of what has been expressly abolished under
Section 34( I)(b) of the Act. Abolition of hereditary principle on
· the basis of custom or usage to a holder of an office for continuance F ·
in that office is one facet, and performance of ceremonies,
practices, customs of usages is another. Both cannot be mingled. -
in the same water. Both are distinct and separate from each other;
It would,· therefore, be incongmous to accept the contention of .
petitioners that the rightto continuance in office on the basis of
custom and usage independently survives. The further contention G
is that interference with matters based on custom or usage.relating
to ''.religious institution" as defined in Section 2(23) amouilts to
interference with the freedom ofconscience and free practice of
. religion. Therefore, it is violative of Article 25( 1) and is untenable
H
144 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A in Jaw. As held earlier, being secular actions they are not integral
parts of the religion or religious matters."
This Court held that with the abolition of the hereditary right, the
right to a share in collections, as per custom also stands abolished.
Prescription of the qualifications for appointment under the Andhra
B Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments
Act, 1966 was held to be valid and legal and not arbitrary, unjust and
unfair. The provision of transfer of Archaka (Priest) from one temple to
another was also upheld and not declared arbitrary or ultra vires or
unjust.
c 111. Shri V.K. Biju, learned counsel has relied upon Commissioner
of Police & Ors. v. ,4.charya Jagadishwarananda Avadhuta & Ant:
{2004) 12 sec 770 in which it was held :
"9. .. .. What is meant by 'an essential part or practices of a
religion' is now the matterof elucidation. Essential part ofreligion
0 means the core beliefs upon which a religion is founded. Essential
practice means those practices means those that are fundamental
to follow a religious belief. It is upon the cornerstone of essential
parts or practices the super structure of religion is built. Without
which, a religion will be no religion. Test to determine whether a
part or practice is essential to the religion is-to find out whether
E the nature of religion will be hanged without that part or practice.
If taking away that part or practice could result in fundamental
change in character of that religion or in its belief, then such part
could be treated as an essential or integral part. There cannot be
additions or subtractions to such part. Because it is the very
F essence of that religion and alterations will change its fundamental
character. It is such permanent essential parts is what is protected
by the Constitution. No body can that that essential part or practice
of one's religion has changed from a particular date or by an
event, Such alterable parts or practices are not the "core" of
religion where the beliefs is based and religion is founded upon. It
G could be treated as meme embellishments to non-essential part or
practices"
112. Reliance was also placed on Sardar Syedna Taher Saiffadin
Saheb v. State of Bombay ( 1962) SCR Supp 2 at 496 on observation
that the protection of Articles 25 and 26 is not limited to the matters of
H doctrine, and extends to acts done in pursuance of religion and therefore
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 145 -
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

contained a guarantee for rituals and observances, ceremonies and modes A
of worships which are integral parts of religion. There is no dispute with
respect to the aforesaid proposition b[1t the said guarantee does not extend
to appointment of Vicars/priests, deacons etc. Reliance was also placed
on S.P.Mittal v. Union of India ( 1983) ·I SCC 51 thus:
"12. It is readily seen that the several provisions of the Constitution B
where the expressions "religion" and "religious denomination" are
used are either those which are concerned with equality and equal
opportunity or those which are concerned with freedom of religion.
Article 15(1 ), Article_ 16(2), Article 23(2), Article 29(2) are the·.
s~_veral equality and equal opportunity clauses of the Constitution
· which bar discrimination on the ground ofreiigion, and-they place C
religion in equation-with race, caste, sex, place of birth, residence
and language for the purposes of the various aspects of equality
dealt with by them. Article 30 recognises the existence of minority
groups based on religion along with minority groups based on
language. Articles 25 to 28 deal with the Right to Freedom of D
Religion which, as we said earlier is traceable to the idea of
"Liberty of thought, expression, belief. faith and worship" in the
Preamble to the Constitution. Article 25 guarantees freedom of
conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate
religion, but saves laws regulating or restricting any economic;
financial, political or other secular activity which may be associated E
with religious practice. Rel!ding Article 25 in the background of
the proclamation regarding Liberty in the Preamble to the
· Constitution, we may safely conclude that the Constitution views
religion, as comprising thought, expression, belief, faith or worship,
as involving the conscience and as something which may be F:
professed, practised and propagated and which is any man's
attribute in the same manner as race, sex, language, residence
etc. We also see that economic, financial, political or other secular
activity may be associated with religious practice though such
activity is not covered by the guarantee of freedom of conscience
and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion. G
So, the Constitution considers religion as a matter of thought,
expression, belief, Jaith aµd worship, a matter involving the
conscience and a matter which may be professed, practised and
propagated by anyone and which may even have some secular _
activity associated with it. We have already said that any freedom · H
146 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A or right involving the conscience must naturally receive a wide
interpretation and the expressions "religion" and "religious
denomination' must, therefore, be interpreted in no narrow, stifling
sense but in a liberal, expansive way."
There is no dispute with the aforesaid proposition bqt the decision
B has no application.
113. Reliance has been placed on N. Adithayan v. Travancore
Devaswom Board &Ors. (2002) 8 SCC I 06 thus:
"7. This Court in Commr., HRE v. Sri Lakshmindra Thirtha
Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt! (known as Shirur Mutt case)
c observed that Article 25 secures to every person, subject to public
order, health and morality, a freedom not only to entertain such
religious belief, as may be approved of by his judgment and
conscience but also to exhibit his belief in such outward acts as
he thinks proper and to propagate or disseminate his ideas for the
D edification of others. It was also observed that what is protected
is the propagation of belief, no matter whether the propagation
takes place in a church or monastery or in a temple or parlour
meeting. While elaborating the meaning of the words, "its own
affairs in matters ofreligion" inArticle26(b) it has been observed
that i!} contrast to secular matters relating to administration of its
E property the religious denomination ororganimtion enjoys complete
autonomy in deciding as to what rites and ceremonies are essential
according to the tenets of the religion they hold and no outside
authority has any jurisdiction to interfere with their decision in
such matters. In Venkataramana Devaru v. State of Mysore2 it
F has been held that though Article 25(1) deals with rights of
individuals, Article 25(2) is wider in its contents and has reference
to rights of communities and controls both Articles 25( I) and 26(b)
of the Constitution, though the rights recognized by Article 25(2)(b)
must necessarily be subject to some limitations or regulations and
one such would be inherent in the process of harmonizing the
G right conferred by Article 25(2)(b) with that protected by Article
26(b).
8. In Tilkayat Shri Govindlalji Maharaj v. State ofRajasthan dealing
with the nature and extent of protection ensured under Articles
25( I) and 26(b), the distinction between a practice which is
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 147
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

religious and one which is purely secular, it has been observed as A
follows: (SCR pp. 621-23)
"In this connection, it cannot be ignored that what is protected
under Atticles 25(1) and 26(b) respectively are the religious
) practices and the right to manage affairs in matters of religion. If
1
the practice in question is purely secular or the. affair which is B
controlled by the statute is essentially and absolutely secular in _,
character, it cannot be urged that Article 25(!) or Article 26(b)
has been contravened. The protection is given to the practice of
religion and to the denomination's right to manage its own affairs
in matters of religion. Therefore, whenever a claim is made on
behalfof an individual citizen thatthe impugned statute contravenes c
his fundamental right to practise religion or a claim is made on
behalfofthe denomination that the fundamental right guaranteed
to it to manage its ciwn affairs in matters of religion is contravened,
it is necessary to consider whether the practice in question is
religious or the affairs in respect of which the right of management D
is alleged to have been contravened are. affairs· in matters of
a
'.religion. If the practice is religious practice or the affairs are the
affairs in matters of religion, then, of course, the rights guaranteed
by Article 25( l) and Article 26(b) cannot be contravened.
It is tme that the decision of the question as to whether a E
certain practice is a religious practice or not, as well as the question
' .
as to whether an affair in question is an affair in matters of religion
or not, may present difficulties because sometimes practices,
religious and secular, are inextricably mixed up. This is more
particularly so in regard to Hindu religion because as is well known,
. under the provisions of aricient Smritis, all human actions from F
birth to death and most of the individual actions from day to day
are regarded as religious in character. As an illustration, we may
refer to the fact that the Smritis regard marriage as a sacrament
. and not a contract. Thotlgh the task of disengaging the secular
from the religious may not be easy, it must nevertheless be G
attempted in dealing with the claims for protection under Articles
25( 1) and 26(b). Ifthe practice which is protected under the former
is a religious practice, and ifthe right which is protected under the
latter is the right to manage affairs in matters of religion, it is
necessary that in judging about the merits of the claim made in
- -Y~..._~,

H
148 SUPREME COURT RE_PORTS (2017) 9 S.C.R.

A that behalf the Court must be satisfied that the practice is religious
and the affair is in regard to a matter of religion. In dealing with
this problem under Articles 25(1) and 26(b), Latham, C.J. 's
observation in Adelaide Co. ofJehovah 's Witnesses Incorporated
v. Commonwealth that 'what is religion to one is superstition to
another', on which Mr Pathak relies, is of no relevance. If an
B
obviously secular matter is claimed to be a matter of religion, or if
an obviously.secular practice is alleged to be a religious practice,
the Court would be justified in rejecting the claim because the
protection guaranteed by Article 25( I) and Article 26(b) cannot
be extended to secular practices and affairs in regard to
c denominational matters which are not matters of religion, and so,
a claim made by a citizen that a purely secular matter amounts to
a religious practice, or a similar claim made on behalf of the
denomination that a purely secular matter is an affair in matters
of religion, may have to be rejected on the ground that it is based
on irrational considerations and cannot attract the provisions of
D
Article 25(1) or Article 26(b). This aspect of the matter must be
borne in mind in dealing with the true scope and effect of Article
25( I) and Article 26(b )."
114. In Adi Saiva Sivachariyargal Nata Sangdm & Ors. v.
Government of Tamil Nadu & Anr. (2016) 2 SCC 725 the question of
E appointment of Archakas came up for consideration before this Court.
This Court held that Archakas can be appointed in terms of Agama for
the temples but such Agamas have to qualify the test ofArticle 14 which
· should not be contrary to the constitutional mandate. This Court has laid
down thus:
F "43.That the freedom ofreligion under Articles 25 and 26 of the
Constitution is not only confined to beliefs but extends to religious
practices also would hardly require reiteration. Right ofbeliefand
practice is guaranteed by Article 25 subject t6 public order, morality
and health and other provisions of Part III of the Constitution.
G Clause (2) is an exception and makes the right guaranteed by
clause (l) subject to any existing law or to such law as may be
enacted to, inter alia, provide for social welfare and reforms or
throwing or proposing to throw open Hindu religious institutions
of a public ~haracter to all classes and sections of Hindus. Article
.26(b) on the other hand guarantees to every religious denomination
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 149
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

or section full freedom to manage its own affairs insofar as matters A
of religion are concerned, subject, once again, to public order,
morality and health and as held by this Court subject to such laws
as may be made under Article 25(2)(b). The rights guaranteed by
Articles 25 and 26, therefore, are circumscribed and are to be
enjoyed within constitutionally permissible parameters. Often
occasions will arise when it may become necessary to determine B
whether a belief or a practice claimed and asserted is a
fundamental part of the religious practice of a group or
denomination making such a claim before embarking upon the
required adjudication. A decision on such claims becomes the duty
of the constitutional court. It is neither an easy nor an enviable C
task that the courts are called to perform. Performance of such
tasks is not enjoined in the court by virtue of any ecclesiastical
jurisdiction conferred on it but in view of its role as the constitutional
arbiter. Any apprehension that the determination by the court of
an essential religious practice itself negatives the freedoms
0
guaranteed by Articles 25 and 26 will have to be dispelled on the
touchstone of constitutional necessity. Without such a determination
there can- be no effective adjudication whether the claimed right
. is in conformity with public order, morality and health and in accord
· with the indisputable and unquestionable notions of social welfare
and reforms. A just balance can always be made by holding that E
the exercise of judicial power to determine essential religious
practices, though always available being an inherent power to
protect the guarantees under Articles 25 and 26, the exerCise
thereof must always be restricted and restrained.
49. The difficulty lies not in understanding or restating the F .
constitutional values. There is not an iota of doubt on what they -
are. But to determine whether a claim of State action in furtherance
thereof overrides the constitutional guarantees under Articles 25
and 26 may often involve what has already been referred to as a
delicate and unenviable task ofidentifying essential religious beliefs , ·
and practices, sans which the religion itself does not survive. It is G
in the performance of this task that the absence of any exclusive
ecclesiastical jurisdiction of this Court, if not,9ther shortcomings
and adequacies, that can be felt. Moreover, there is_some amount
of uncertainty with regard to the prescription contained in the
Agamas. Coupled with the above is the lack of easy availability H
150 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20 I ZJ 9 S.C.R.

A of established works and the declining numbers of acknowledged
(
'
and undisputed scholars on the.subject. In such a situation one is
reminded of the observations, if not the caution note struck by
Mukherjea, J. in Shirur Mutt6 with regard to complete autonomy
of a denomination to decide as to what constitutes an essential
religious practice, a view that has also been subsequently echoed
B
by this Court though as a "minority view". But we must hasten to
clarify that no such view of the Court can be understood to be an
indication of any bar to judicial determination of the issue as and
when it arises. Any contrary opinion would give rise to large-
scale conflicts of claims and usages as to what is an essential
c religious practice with no acceptable or adequate forum for
resolution. That apart the "complete autonomy:: contemplated in
Shimr Mutt (AIR 1954 SC 282) and the meaning of "outside
authority" must not be torn out of the context in which the views,
already extracted, came to be recorded (p. I 028). Tile exclusion-
of all "outside authorities" from deciding what is an essential
D
religious practice must be viewed in the context of the limited role
of the State in matters relating to religious freedom as envisaged
. by Articles 25 and 26 itself and not of the courts as the arbiter of
constitutional rights and principles.
5.0. What then is the eventual result? The answer defies a
E straightforward resolution and it is the considered view of the
Court that the validity or otherwise of the impugned G.O. would
depend on the facts of each case of appointment. What is found
and held to be prescribed by one particular or a set of Agamas for
a solitary or a group of temples, as may be, would be determinative
F of the issue. In this regard it will be necessary to re-emphasise
what has 'been already stated with regard to the purport and effect
of Article 16(5) of the Constitution, namely, that the exclusion of
some and inclusion of a particular segment or denomination for
appointment as Archakas would not violate Article 14 so Jong as
such inclusion/exclusion is not based on the criteria of caste, birth
G or any other constitutionally unacceptable parameter. So long as
the prescription(s) under a particular Agama or Agamas is not
contrary to any constitutional mandate as discussed above, the
impugned G.O. dated 23-5-2006 by its blanket fiat to the effect ·
that, "Any person who is a Hindu and possessing the requisite
H qualification and training can be appointed as a Archaka in Hindu
K. S.. VARGHESE & ORS. v; ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 151
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

temples" has the potential of falling foul of the dictum laid down -A
in Seshammal (1972) 2 SC.C 11. A determination of the contours
of a claimed custom or usage would be imperative and it is in that
light that the validity of the impugned G.O. dated 23-5-2006 will
have to be decided in each case of appointment of Archakas
whenever and wherever the issue is raised. _The necessity of B
seeking specific judicial verdicts in the future is inevitable and
unavoidable; the contours of the present case and the issues arising
being what has been discussed."
115. As a matter of fact from the discussion made in the 1995
judgment and theivarious documents referred to therein, it is apparent
that the Patriarch of Antioch has not exercised the power earlier with C
respect to the appointment of priests etc. Be that as it may. He has re-
established the Throne of Catholicos in 1912 under a Kalpana in which
he _has dedicated the power tci the 1934 Constitution which has been
accepted by the iS8uance ofKalpana and by establishing Catholicos-III
in 1964 by consecrating Malankara Metropolitan. It is apparent that the D
1934 Constitution has to hold the field and it is not the spiritual right -
within the spiritual domain even if the Patriarch ofAntioch is supreme to
appoint Vicars/priests. - -
- -
116. The provisions in 1934 Constitution are binding. Seetion I
thereof provides that the Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church is the E
Patriarch of Antioch. However section 2 takes care that the Malankara
a
Church which is division of the Orthodox Syrian Church, was founded
by St. Thomas the Apostle and is included in the Orthodox Syrian Church
of the Eas!, and the "Primate" of the Orthodox Syrian Church of the
East is the "Catholicos". Sections I and 2 are extracted hereunder:
F
"l. The Malankara Church is a division of the Orthodox Syrian
Church. The Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church is the
i>atriarch of Antioch.
2. The Malankara Church was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle
and is included in the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East and the 0
Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East is the -
Catholicos."
117. The appointment of Vicar is dealt with in section 38 of the
Constitution. There shall be a Vicar for every Parish Church; other Priests,
if any, shall be assistants of the Vicar. The Vicar shall be the joint ste_ward H

..._.
152 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A with the Kaisthani of the assets of the Parish. The Diocesan Metropolitan
has the authority to appoint, remove or transfer the Vicar and other
priests. Sections 38 to 40 ofthe 1934 Constitution are extracted hereunder:
38. There shall be a Vicar for every Parish Church; other Priests,
if any shall be assistants of the Vicar.
B 39. The Vicar shall be the joint steward with the Kaisthani of the
assets of the Parish. The monies of the Parish shall be deposited
in joint names of the Vicar and the Kaisthani or in the name of
any one of them with the consent of each other. But an amount as
fixed by the Managing Committee can be retained with the
c Kaisthani.
40. The Diocesan Metropolitan has authority to appoint, remove
or transfer the Vicar and other priests. When the Vicar is so
removed or transferred, his stewardship will also terminate.
118. It is apparent from section 40 that the Diocesan Metropolitan
D has the authority to appoint, remove or transfer the Vicar and other
priests. Section 43 as amended in 2011 contains the provision that the
Baptism Register, the Marriage Register, the Burial Register, the Parish
Assembly Register and Confession Register shall be maintained by the
Vicar and kept in his custody and the Diocesan Metropolitan when on a
E visit to the church, these shall be got signed by him. The Vicar shall also
keep the fil~s of Kalpana's. Section 43 is extracted hereunder:
"43. In addition to the Baptism Register, the Marriage Register,
the Burial Register, the Parish Assembly Register and Confession
Register, there shall be a Parish Register containing the names
and other particulars of all men and women of the Parish entered
F
regularly under the responsibility of the Vicar and kept in his
custody. When the Diocesan Metropolitan comes to the Church
on his Parish visit these shall be got signed by him. The Vicar
shall keep also the files of Kalpana's (orders) and other documents
received from higher authorities of the Church." -
G
119. There are several managerial duties which a Vicar has to
perform under section 9, of reporting to the respective Diocesan
Metropolitan about leaving and joining of a Parishioner of a church.
Section 10 deals with payment of subscription and name to be removed
from the Parish Assembly Register. In the case of default, Vicar has to
H write to the Metropolitan of the Diocese as to what shall be done
K. s. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 153
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

thereafter with that member. Other such managerial rights are given in A
sections 11 to 13. Vicar has to convene the meeting twice in a year of
the Parish Assembly. In case Vicar fails to convene it, a request can be
made to the Diocesan Metropolitan to convene it. The Vicar shall be the
President and other Parish Priests, if any, shall be Vice-Presidents of
the Assembly as pointed out in section 15. Under section 18 it is the duty B
-- of the Vicar to send or cause to be sent by the Secretary the decisions of
the Parish Assembly to the Diocesan Metropolitan. An appeal lies to the
Metropolitan against the decision of the Parish Assembly. Vicar has to
Inform about the appeal. The Vicar has to be the President of Parish
Managing Committee as per section 26. As per.section 27, the Vicar
shall report to the Diocesan Metropolitan about the election of the C
Kaisthani, the Secretary and other members of the Parish Managing
Committee. The Vicar or on his direction the Secretary, shall convene
the meeting of the Parish Managing Committee as provided in section
28. The Vicar has to convene the meeting of the Parish Managing
Committee at the request of Kaisthani or one-third of the members of . D
·the Parish Managing Committee as provided in section 29; Itis his duty
to send summarized statement of accounts passed at the Parish Assembly
to the Diocesan Metropolitan as per section 36 and to maintain a register
of movable and immovable properties of the church as provided in section
37. A Vicar has to perform certain religious duties as well as managerial
duties. The Diocesan Metropofitan has to· control the Vicar as per the E
scheme of the Constitution. The Diocesan Metropolitan has been given
the authority to appoint a.Vicar for a wholesome purpose in the 1934
Constitution as the Patriarch ofAntioch abroad cannot and is not supposed
to exercise the deep and pervasive control over the management of
churches such as the appointment of Vicar which is a secular matter
and not a spiritual one. Section 94 of the 1934 Constitution deals with the F
Malankara Metropolitan. Section 94 confers prime jurisdiction regarding
the 'temporal ecclesiastical and spiritual administration is with the
Malankara Metropolitan. It is provided that in case there is no Diocesan
Metropolitan in any Diocese, such Diocese shall be under the direct
administration of the Malankara Metropolitan. As per section 98, it is G
open to the Catholicos to hold the office of the Malankara Metropolitan
also. Sections 94 and 98 ar.e extracted bereunder:
"94. The Prime jurisdiction regarding the temporal, ecclesiastical
and spiritual administration of the Malankara Church is vested
H
154 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A with the Malankara Metropolitan subject to provisions of this
constitution.
98. The Catholicos may also hold the office of the Malankara
Metropolitan. As.,fhe Malankara Metropolitan, he shall be the
President of the Association and the Managing Committee and
B the Metropolitan Trustee of the Community properties. The
MalankaraM_etropolitan may officially visit all the Parish Churches
of the Malankara Church and if found necessary, he may convene
the Parish Assembly and the Diocesan Assembly after giving
information to the Diocesan Metropolitan. When the Catholicos
and the Malankara Metropolitan happens to be two individuals
c regulations needed shall be made about their respective rights
and powers."
With respect to Catholicos provisions ·are contained in sections 99
and 100 which are extracted hereunder:
D "99. The throne ofCatholicos was re-established in AD 1912 in
the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East, which includes the
Malankara Church, and this institution has been functioning ever
since in the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East.
100. The powers of the Catholicos include the consecration of
E Prelates, presiding over the Episcopal Synod, declaring its decisions
and implementing them, conducting administration as representative
of the Synod and consecrating the Holy Mooron."
120. The Throne of Catholicos was re-established in 1912. He
has the power of consecratioQ of Prelates, presiding over the Episcopal
F Synod, declaring its decisions and implementing them, conducting
administration as representative of the Synod and consecrating the Holy
Moron. The Patriarch is dealt with in section I0 I which is extracted
hereunder:
"I 0 I . ihe Malankara Church shall recognize the Patriarch,
canonically consecrated with the cooperation of the Catholicos."
G
121. The prime jurisdiction with respect to the temporal,
ecclesiastical and spiritual administration of the Malankara Church is
vested in the Malankara Metropolitan and other authorities. It is intended
for proper administration of the church and does not run against the
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S- & PAUL'S SYRIAN 155
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

concept of the spiritual authority of the Patriarch of Antioch but at the A
same time, Malankara Metropolitan enjoys all the temporal, ecclesiastical
and spiritual administration powers. Thus the power of the Patriarch of
Antioch has reached a vanishing point and he cannot exercise those
powers which are lying with various authorities under the Constitution
as per the historical background noted in the 1995 judgment since time"" B
immemorial. It passes comprehension how the Patriarch of Antioch can
manage the day to day affairs in India sitting abroad. It is not contemplated
nor he is supposed to do so in view of his Kalpana's and historical facts
also indicate otherwise that he had notbeen managing the churches and
it is better that the churches are left for the purpose of day to day
administration, The powers of appointment of Vicar and priests etc. to C
the local Malankara church, have rightly been given to the concerned
authorities in the 1934 Constitution on the basis of prevalent practices.
122. The submission as to the violation of faith and vfolation ofa
right under Article 25 is to be rejected. No doubt about it that a religious
denomination or organization enjoys a complete autonomy in the matter D
of deciding as to rites and ceremonies essential according to their tenets
ofreligion they hold and no outside authority has any jurisdiction to
interfere with their decisions in such matters. At the same time, secular
matters can be controlled by the secular authorities in accordance with
the law laid down by the competent legislature as laid "down. in the
Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowment.~ v. Sri Lakshmindra E
Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt 1954 SCR} 005. Spiritual power
is also with various authorities like Catholicos, Malankara Metropolitan
etc. Thus it is too far fetched an argument that the Patriarch of Antioch
or his delegate should appoint a Vicar or Priest. There is no violation of·
any right ofArticles25 or 26 of the Constitution oflndia. Neither any of F
the provisions relating to appointment of the Vicar can be said to be in
violation of any of the rights under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution
oflndia. The 1934 Constitution cannot be said to be in violation ofArticles
25 and 26 of the Constitution of India. It was suggested that th~ faith
. involved in th~ present case refers to apostolic succession from-Jesus
Christ, viz., the blessings and grace of Christ descends through an apostle G
i.e. St. Peter or St. Thomas as the case may be, and from the said
apostle to the Pope/Patriarch who appoints a Vicar. The argument ignores
and overlooks other offices that are in-between like Catholicos,
Malankara Metropolitan, and Diocesan Metropolitan etc. It is_ not
H
156 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A necessary for the· Pope and the Patriarch to appoint Vicar because
management of a Church is not a religious ritual.
123. The spiritual powers vest in other functionaries also and
obviously spiritual power cannot be the monopoly of any· particular
individual howsoever high he· may be. Others are in hierarchy viz.
B Diocesan Metropolitan has power to appoint Vicar, Priests etc. as per
Section 40. In the matter of ordination of Deacons and Priests by
Diocesan Metropolitan or Malankara Matropolitan, a candidate for
ordination should have a degree qualification. Power to appoint high
Priests (Prelates) is by Catholicos in co-operation with Synod. Bishop
and Metropolitan can be consecrated by the Catholicos in conjunction
c with Synod, Bishop or Metropolitan has to be elected by the Association
after approval by Synod to be consecrated by Catholicos. Person for
ordination has to study theology, and on being found fit can be ordained.
It is not that only blessing of a spiritual person makes him qualified to
perform duties of such posts. Appointment of Vicar and Priests is a
D secular matter and there can be legislation also in this regard by sovereigns
and can be dealt with by secular authorities also. There is no question of
blessings of Jesus Christ not flowing to a person who confesses before
a Vicar not appointed by the Patriarch. The spiritual competence of
Vicar depends on his own attainments. The dispute appears to be for
fulfillment of desire to manage Church for the reasons which are not
E related to spiritualism. Spiritual person is supposed to leave all such
desires as laid down in Bhagavad Gita by Lord Krishna thus:
"Chapter 4, Verse 39:

F 'lktldf;l iPfc\~(Kq(: '6~: I
~ltd lilftdl t:IU:n~lo1tlil01iaJkt 113911

shraddhavan labhatejiianam tat-paral:i sanyaum.drtyab
Jiianam Uibdhviiparam shantim achirl!l)adhigachchhati
G

[The person, whose highest goal is spiritual wisdom, has abiding
faith and controls the senses, attains wisdom quickly and experiences
the Supreme Peace]"

H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S &PAUL'S SYRIAN. 157
ORTH. & ORS, [ARUNMISHRA, J.]
. . . • • ! ' :

124. Shri Mohan Parasaran, learned. senior counsel, urged that ·A
a
granting the reliefs as sought for in the plaint would result in sii~ation
favoring one party over another and bringing religious imbal:mce als.oJn
this regard he relied on observations of European Court of Human Rights
(ECtHR) in the case of Supreme Holy Council oftheMuslim Community
v. Bulgaria, wherein. ECtHR while considering a claim by one of two .B
rival groups claiming leadership ofMuslim community in Bulgaria held
that ·there had been violation as the state actions had the effect of
compelling the divided community to have a single leadership against the ·
will of one of the two factions. It stated that the role of the authorities in
a situation of contl ict between or within religious group was not to remove
the cause of tension by elimination of pluralism, but to ensure that the 'C
competing groups tolerated each other. State measures favoring 'a
particular leader of a divided religious community would constitute
infringement of freedom ofreligion." · " ' ·: . · ,. " '
125. The question is whether on the division of community, there
is devision of control and management and property of church. D
Supremacy issue of Patriarch ofCatholicos has been raised unnecessarily.
It is a Diocesan Metropolitan as per Section 40 of the Constitution who
has the power to appoint Vicar, priests etc. and there is other hierarchy ·
provided. Even Catholicos, Malankara Metropolitan has the spiritual
powers. It is not that they have temporal powers only. They have spiritual
status too that has to be respected equally. Shri C.V. Singh, learned E
counsel, is right in contending tnat no office is either superior or inferior
in the matter of relationship between the two heads, the Catholicos and
the Patriarch. Both are independent spiritual authorities. However; the
Patriarch occupies the higher post in the hierarchy i.e. he has an .Q.onour
or precedence if he is present that is in a sense he is the first among F
equals - "primus inter parties". The Church functioning is based on
, division of responsibilities a~ various levels.
The division of power is for the purpose of management and does
not militate against the basic character of the church being Episcopal in
character. In Halsbury's Laws of England, vol. 14, para 562, right of G
Parishioners has been described thus :
"to enter the chµrch, remain there for purpose of participating in
divine worship to have a seat and to obey the reasonable directions
of the church to ordain."
.H

>
158 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A The highest authority ofMalankara church ofthe east is Catholicos
being its primate as recognised in Section 2 of 1934 Constitution. What
is sought for and intended is wholly uncalled for, wholly unnecessary
and unpalatable. Community may divide but churches and places of
worship cannot be divided. They have to be respected for the sake of
B religion and to exercise their coveted rights under Articles 25 and 26 and
for preservation of such rights. We are not oblivious of the fact that still
there may not be truce and peace in the church which cannot be helped.
A person interested in spirituality may attain it by karma, dedication to
deity, concentration and controlling senses as stated in Gita by Lord
Krishna;
c "Chapter 7, Verse 4:

~~:li~~~d'il I
31$!?11R$d\4~1ita:911yt1d<EillII411
D

bhtimtrciipo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhtr eva cha
ahanka.ra ifiyam m¥1.bhinnii. prakritir a$hfadhti

[Earth, water, fire, air, mind, iritellect and the ego - these are the
E 8 divisions of My .separated matter (Prakriti) that is Prakriti comprises
not only the material world of matter of energy but also the inner world
of thoughts, emotions and the ego.]"
"Chapter 3, Verse 29:
F

pro.krimr gul)a-sammu{ihiih sajjante gul)a-karmasu
G tiin alcrttsnfI-l'ido mandan /rritsna~vin na vichiilayet

[People who are influenced by the senses, remain attached to
sense objects and the material aspects of the world. The wise should not
disturb these ignorant people, whose knowledge is incomplete.]
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 159
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

For persons who are professing the religion for temporal gains, no A
one can show them spiritual way. They are free to have the'ir pursuit and
excel in that too but not at the cost of the very deity and church or
religious place itself. The 1934 Constitution cannot be said to be an
instrumenot of injustice or vehicle of oppression. Thus the decision of
American Express Bank Ltd. v. Calcutta Steel Co. ( 1993) 2 SCC 199 B
is of no avail.
126. It was urged by Shri C.S. Vaidyanathan, learned senior
counsel, that the Parishioners own the property of the Parish Church
and the Cemetery and they cannot be deprived of that right by reason of
the office holders of the Parish Churches by not subscribing to the 1934
Constitution. The attempt by Catholicos is to take away ancient churches C
and bar the Parishioners from entry to the churches and cemetery. The
submission is not at all plausible. The properties would-always remain to
be Malankara Church properties. Only Office holders have fo subscribe
_to the 1934 Constitution as held by this Court. The Parishioners can take
no church property away, neither Catholicos faction by majority and the D
submission is based on the misconception as to the nature of rights in
such property. It has to remain in Malankara Church. Neither the Church
nor the ceme~ery can be confiscated by anybody. It has to remain with
Parishioners as per the customa1y rights and nobody can be deprived of
right one enjoys being a Parishioner in the church or to be buried
honourably in the cemetery, in case he continues to have faith in E
Malankara Church.
127. It passes comprehension as to how irreconcilable differences
in faith have been sought to be created in flimsy manner to and divide
Church into the Patriarch and Catholicos factions whereas they are part
of the Malankara Church, whereas the dominant faith is the common, ·F
Malankara church is one, and Orthodox Syrian Church is the same.
Only intention differs. Hence, law and order situation has arisen which
cannot be scenario for,,;piritmil attainments with embodiment of tolerance
and equality of all human beings and living creatures. The depth in sight
beyond the sensual eye sight is required for spiritual gains. For the reasons a·
best known to the parties, fight is going on regarding the management _
which is wholly uncalled for. If church has to survive, obviously this
must stop and let the blessings of the Christ fall upon the believers,
actual followers of his teaching. This is the only way by which we can
expect that peace will come to the Chu~. For the unrest and ugly
H
160 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A situation no reason, good, bad or otherwise exist which can be legally
recognized.
128. In our opinion, there is no force in the submission of Shri
Vaidyanathan, learned senior counsel, that if services and ceremonies
conducted by only those Vicars and priests who are appointed in
B accordance with the 1934 Constitution, would be violative of the basic
object of the Parish Church. As already discussed we find no force in
the submission. Diocesan Metropolitan appoints Vicar under the 1934
Constitution. It does not impinge upon the object of the Parish churches.
The Catholicos or the Patriarch, as the case may be, are not supposed to
deal with such matters which are reserved for Diocesan Metropolitan
C as apparent from various decisions and provisions in the 1934 Constitution.
This is the position prevailing since long. As already discussed, Vicars or
Priests can also be appointed by secular authorities of sovereign. The
appointment made by Diocesan Metropolitan cannot be said to be
suffering from any illegality or affecting the spiritual rights of the
D Parishioners. Deacons and Preist for ordination are required to undergo
successfully, theological studies and principle has to certify as to their
fitness. For ordination as Korooyo (Reader) successfully clearing of 3
years study is required. How Patriarch from abroad can exercise such
powers is beyond comprehension and that would amount to unnecessary
interference which is not supported by any Kalpana or historical
E document.
129. The 1934 Constitution provides appointment of Vicar by
Diocese in the area of its operation. Other provisions that we have
discussed with respect to appointment detailed out in the 1934
Constitution. In the absence of anything having been provided in
F Udampady, the 1934 Constitution would hold the field.
130. Faith is tried to be unnecessarily divided vis a vis the office
of Catholicos and the Patriarch. Faith of church is in the Jesus Christ.
An effort is being made to take over the management and other powers
by such an actionjustto gain control of temporal matters under the garb
G of spirituality. Even if Vicar performs the functions, which are religious,
there would not be infringement of the rights under article 25 and 26 of
constitution oflndia in case the Diocesan Metropolitan appoints Vicar
as provided in the Constitution and it is clear the Patriarch of Antioch
has not reserved this power to himself. Why there is such dispute is
H most unfortunate and is for inexplicable reasons. There is no good or
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 161
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

genuine cause for it. As a matter of fact the 1995 judgment settled such A
disputes, between the parties. This court has tried its best to take care of
the prevailing situation while passing the decree. It was observed in
utter breach during its execution itself. We are unable to accept and
appreciate why for the Patriarch himself should appoint Vicar, Priest
etc. The Diocesan Metropolitan as per the Constitution of 1934 appoints
B·
vicar. The submission that Vicar of a Catholicos group cannot be thrust
on a worshipper of Patriarch faith against his will, is totally unsound and
is simply a ploy to take over the control of the management of the Church
by putting faith in a Vicar who is rurining a parallel governance at the
cost of Church by creating factionalism within the Churches. It is settled
proposition of law that when a mode is prescribed for doing a thing, it C
can be done only in that manner and not otherwise. This Court in 1-995
Judgment made it clear that the Patriarch has no such authority, he could
not exercise any such spiritual power unilaterally as done in 1972 which
became the cause of unrest in Church. The appointment of Vicar, Priest
by the Patriarch or through delegate unilaterally was held to be not · D
permissible in the decision of 1995 even if he has such powers. It appears
he has no such power to interfere in the management of the church and
now that question is agitated again and under the same guise ofsupremacy
such an uncalled for attempt has to be thwarted and not to be
countenanced for a moment. There is no violation of constitutional
·provisions or authority of Patriarch. Thus there is no question of violation E
of Parishnors rights and applicability of decisions in Olga Tellis v. Bombay
Municipal Corporation AIR 1986 SC 180; Basheshar Nath v. LT.
Commissioner AIR 1959 SC 149 and Nar Singh Paul v. Union of
India 2000 (3) sec 588.
IN RE : REPUDIATION OF THE SPIRITUAL SUPREMACY F
OF THE PATRIARCH BY THE CATHOLICOS:
131. It was submitted by Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel
appearing for the appellants, that as far back as 1889 in Seminary suit, it
was established that the authority of the Patriarch had never extended
to the government of temporalities of the Church. It was reiterated in G
the Arthat suit in 1905. Therefore any reference made thereafter to the
· power of the Patriarch being reduced to a "vanishing point'', is with ·
reference to his spiritual power. In O.S. No.4 of 1979, the relief prayed·
was that the Church was autocephalous which means independent of
Patriarchal authority and there are instances. where Cat_holicos have
H
162 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A repudiated the supremacy of the Patriarch as discussed by this Court in
the 1995 judgment.

"134. At this stage, what appears to have triggered the dispute
again is the nomination of a delegate to Malankara Sabha by the
Patriarch in the year 1972. This nomination implied the exercise
B of active spiritual supremacy by the Patriarch over Malankara
Church which was evidently not relished by the Catholicos and
other members. Under a letter dated February 16, 1972 (Ex.A.76)
the. Catholicos and nine Metropolitans including the members of
the erstwhile Patriarch group requested the Patriarch not to send
c the delegate. They pointed out that sending such delegate will
lead to disturbance of peace and to dissensions among the
Malankara Church. The Patriarch did not pay heed to this request.
On the contrary, he wrote back to the Secretary to the Malankara
Association (Ex.A.192 dated July 9, 1973) that he is not aware of
any such Sabha or of the Malankara Association. His delegate
D arrived in Malankara and started ordaining priests and deacons.
The Catholicos objected to this activity of the delegate by his
letter Ex.A.79 dated August 7, 1973 addressed to the Patriarch.
Nothing happened. On September 1, 1973, the Patriarch himself
ordained the first defendant in 0.S.4of1979 (the main suit now
E before us) as Metropolitan of the Evangalistic Association of the
East. Then started a series of correspondence between the
Patriarch and the Catholicos each accusing the other of several
ecclesiastical violations.

EXCOMMUNICATION OF CATHOLICOS BY PATRIARCH:
F
135. On August 7, 1973 the Catholicos sent a telegram to Patriarch
to the following effect:

"Local newspapers report your holinessintention to consecrate
one of our priests as Bishop. We unequivocally object to such
G action if contemplated by your Holiness as uncanonical and as a
clear violation of 1958 peace agreement. (Letter follows)."

In the confirmatory letter, the Catholicos stated that there was no
necessity for the Patriarch to send a delegate to Malankara and
H
added further:
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 163
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

"The Catholicate of the East is an autocephalous which consecrates A
its own Bishops and its own Morone. This autocephaly is a fact
quite independent of the name of our Throne. The autonomy
exercised by the Catholicate over Malankara has been well
established. It was for no other reason that your Holiness in May,
1964 expressed a desire to delimitthe geographicalj urisd!Ction of B
this heirarchy".(Emphasis added)
136. The Catholicos then referred to the re-definition of the
geographical jurisdictions of both the Patriarch and the Catholicos
prior to installation and to the installation of the new Catholicos by
the Patriarch on May 22, 1964. He also referred to the activities
of Mar Thimotheos, the delegate of Patriarch whom the Catholicos C
described as a troublemaker. The Catholicos stated that the
activities of the delegate would have constituted a sufficient
ground, normally speaking, for him to projest against his actions
with the Patriarch but that he has not taken such action only
because he considers his link with Patriarchate as valuable. Finally, D
he protested against any proposal to conserate Metropolitans for
Ind'ia by Patriarch and stated that any such action would be treated
as an uncanonical action.
137. After receiving the above letter of the Catholicos, the
Patriarch communication a list of chages to the Catholicos on E
January 30, 1974 (Es.A.80). This letter is in the nature of a show-
cause notice calling upon the Catholicos to answer the charges
levdled against him within one month. It is unnecessary to detail
the charges herein. The main grievance of the Patriarch was the
attempt of Catholicos to style himself as the head of an independent
Church ofMalankara and repudiation of the Patriarchal authority. F
. The letter also complained of the "most discourteous and impudent
manner which is unbecoming from the Catholicos" in which the
letter dated August 7, ·19.73 was addressed to him.
138. On March 9, 1974 the Catholicos replied to the Patriarch
stating that the Patriarch has no jurisdiction to level any charges G
against him or to ask for his explanation. He stated that the only
authority to do so is the Malankara Episcopal Synod. He stated
that the charges co.mmunicated by the Patriarch have been
· forwarded to the said Synod for consideration and appropriate
action and that the Synod has assumed jurisdiction in the matter. H
164 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2Q l 7] 9 S.C.R.

A A similar letter was addressed by the Secretary of the Malankara
Synod on March 5, J974 to the Patriarch. This letter also asked
the Patriarch to prove his charges against Catholicos before the
Malankara Synod. This exchange went on with the language and
tone of each letter becoming more and more discourteous towards
each other. Suffice it to mention that on July 5, 1974 the Malankara
Synod met and not only justified the actions of the Catholicos but
found the Patriarch guilty of several ecclesiastical violations. A
copy of the proceedings was forwarded to the Patriarch."
132. It was pointed out that writ petitions were filed before the
Kerala High Court in the years 2004 and 2008. A writ petition was filed
C in the year 2008 by representatives of the Catholicate before the Kerala
High Court to restrain the Patriarch from indulging in prohibited religious
activities on the ground that it will violate the Foreigners Act and the
Visa Manual. The said writ petition was dismissed. In view of repeated
repudiation of the supremacy of the Patriarch, the followers of the
D Patriarch have framed a new Constitution for themselves in 2002 and
disassociated themselves from the Association. It has been urged that
the framing of the 2002 Constitution is iri conformity with the 1995
judgment as observed by this Court with respect to Knanaya Church,
and now they are functioning for the last 15 years under the Constitution
of2002.
E
133. It was further urged that even though the Patriarch's power
may have been reduced to a vanishing point, the Patriarch may not be a
mere 'glorified cipher'. In this regard the decision of this Court in
Samsher Singh v. State of Punjab & Am: (1974) 2 SCC 831 with
respect to the power of the President oflndia has been referred to. It
F was also submitted that section 101 of the 1934 Constitution which
provides that the Malankara Church shall recognize the Patriarch,
canonically consecrated with the cooperation of Catholicos, cannot be
interpreted to mean that Catholicos can dictate as to who can be appointed
as the Patriarch. The Patriarch is appointed by the Universal Synod in
G accordance with the applicable Canon and has to be recognized by the
Catholicos if he is canonically consecrated. The cooperation of the
Catholicos was sought presumably to avoid a situation similar to the time
when the Sultan of Turkey withdrew the 'firman' recognizing Abdul
Messiah as Patriarch and instead Abdullah II was recognized as the
Patriarch. Therefore when there is a dispute as to the legitimacy of a
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 165
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

person claiming to be the Patriarch, only, then Section I01 comes into A
play and the canonically consecrated Patriarch with cooperation of
catholicos can be recognized as legitimate. There is no pleading in the
present suit as to 'legitimacy of the Patriarch currently holding the office.
As per information available from 14.9.1980 till 21.3.2014, Ignatius Zakka
II was the Roman Patriarch of Antioch. He was the same Patriarch B
who was in office during the 1995 judgment against whom the Catholicos
group had filed a wrifpetition in the Kerala High Court. In the absence
of pleadings they cannot refuse to recognize him and take shelter of
Section 101 of 1934 Constitution. The expression 'cooperation' appearing
in section 101 of the 1934 Constitution must be interpreted to mean only
a formal acknowledgement on the part of the Catholicos in recognizing C
the Patriarch canonically consecrated. Further it was submitted that this
Court has laid down that in Para 155(3) of the 1995 judgment that the
Patriarch could exercise the power in consultation with the Catholicos.
Consultation does not mean concurrence as held in L & T McNeil Ltd.
v. Govt. of T.N. (2001) 3 SCC 170 and State of Gujarat & Anr. v. D
Justice R.A. Mehta (Retired) & Ors. (2013) 3 SCC I. Only intimation
would be required in this case: There is nothing to prevent the Patriarch
from exercising the powers even if the Catholicos disagree, as the
Patriarch of Antioch is spiritually superior. No consent or permission is
required of the Catholicos. The observations made at Para 158 of the
1995 judgment of this Court with respect to the Constitution of a E
representative body have been relied upon. The same is extracted
hereunder:
"158 ... .It is thus clear that the MalankaraAssociation was formed
not only to manage the temporal affairs of the Church but also its
religious affairs and that the appointment of Metropolitans was F
subject to acceptance by the people ofMalankara. The emphasis
is upon the people of Malankara and not upon the individual
Churches/ Parish Churches .... It thus appears that while the
membership of the MalankaraAssociation is limited to one priest
and two laymen elected by each Parish Assembly, the membership
of the Malankara Church as such consists of all men and women, G
who accept the tenets and the faith .... if the Malankara
Association is to be vested with the control over the religious and
communal affairs of the entire Malankara Christian community, it
must truly and genuinely reflect the will of the entire spectrum of
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166 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A the community. A powerful body having control over both
reasonable and fair manner.... It may, therefore, be necessary to
substitute clause (68) [now clause (71 )] and other relevant clauses
of the Constitution to achieve the aforesaid objective which would
also affirm the democratic principle, which appears to be one of
the basic tenets of this Church ... "
B
134. It was also urged by Shri K Parasaran, learned senior counsel
that the interpretation of the above observations is not sustainable. The
Malankara Association though was entrusted with the management of
religious and communal affairs, the exercise of spiritual function was
not entrusted to the Catholicos to the exclusion of the Patriarch. This
c Court held in the 1995 judgment that the even if he has power to do so
Patriarch cannot exercise the power unilaterally. The observation made
by this Court with reference to the democratic principle has to be
understood in the context of representing the entire spectrum of the
community relating to governance and administration. Religion and faith
D are not governed by democracy. Subsequent orders were passed. They
were related to administration and management and did not touch upon
the exercise of spiritual functions.
13 5. None of the aforesaid submissions are acceptable for various
reasons. It is apparent from MM B Catholicos v. T.Paulo Avira (supra)
E and the 1958 judgment rendered by this Court that similar issues with
respect to repudiation of powers of the Patriarch by the Catholicos group
were raised. As apparent from the aforesaid extracted texts.
136. In 1879, Seminary suit OS No.439/1054 was filed. While the
plaintiff asserted the supremacy of Patriarch in consecrating and
F appointing Metropolitans from time to time to govern and rule over the
Malankara Edavagai, sending Moron (the sanctified oil) for baptismal
purposes, receiving the Ressissa from the community to maintain his
dignity and in generally controlling the ecclesiastical and temporal affairs
of the Edavagai, the defendant denied such Patriarchal supremacy. Suit
was decided by the judgment ofTravancore Royal Court of Final Appeal
G in 1889. The conclusions inter alia arrived at were that the ecclesiastical
supremacy of the Patriarch of Antioch over Malankara Syrian Christian
Church in Travancore had all along been recognized and acknowledged
by Jacobite Syrian Christian community and their Metropolitans. However,
the authority of Patriarch never extended to the government of
H · temporalities of the church. It was also held that the Metropolitan of the
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 167
ORTR & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Jacobite Syrian Church in Travancore shall be a native of Malabar and A
accepted by the people as their Metropolitan.
13 7. Arthat suit was also filed in 1877. The Patriarch_ of Antioch
did not relish he judgment of the Royal Court ofTravancore. The judgment
in Arthat suit was passed on 15 .8.1905. The Cochin Court of Appeal
reaffirmed the findings of the Travancore Royal Court in which it was B
declared by the Cochin Court of Appeal "while the Patriarch of Antioch
is the spiritual head ofMalankara Syrian Jacobite Christian Church, the
church and their properties are subject to the spiritual, temporal and
ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Malankara Metropolitan. In other words
the Patriarch's claim of control over the temporal affairs of the Malankara .
Church was rejected once again." The revival of the Catholicate !ook c '
place in 1912. It was by two Kalpana i.e. Ex. Al3 and Ex. Al4. On
16.4.1913, Mar Ivanios who was consecrated as the Catholicos died.
The post ofCatholicos remained vacant from 1913 till 1925. In 1925 one
Mar Geevarghese Philixinos ofVakathanam was in$talled as the second
.Catholicos. On ·17.12.1928, Geevarghese Gregorius was installed as the D
third Catholicos. Second arid third Catholicos were appointed without
reference to the Patriarch. Vattipanam suit was filed as the dispute arose
with respect to the interest on 3000 Star Pagodas. Suit was filed in 1913,
which was converted into a representative suit. Defendants I to 3
represented the Catholicos group. Defendants 4 to 6 represented the
Patriarch group. The District Judge held that the first defendant belonging E
to Catholicos is a validly appointed Malankara Metropolitan, having been
accepted by the community at the installation meeting held in I084. It
was also held that the withdrawal of recognition by the Sultan of Turkey
did not deprive Abdul Messiah of his purely spiritual functions and powers
and that the ex-communication of the first defendant by Abdulla II was F
invalid. Patriarch group filed' an appeal before the High Court of
Travancore. Full Bench of the High Court allowed the appeal and
reversed the judgment and decree of the trial court in 1923. However
defendants 1 to 3 applied for review ofjudgmentand the appeal was re-
heard by the Full Bench that was decided on 4. 7.1928 and the decision
of the District Judge was upheld and the decree was affirmed. It was G
held that Malankara Metropolitan was validly appointed. Thus the
Patriarch faction had lost in the aforesaid suit also. Thereafter, the 1934
Constitution had been passed in M.D. Seminary meeting dated 26.12.1934
that was held after issuing notices to all churches.
H
168 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A The Metropolitans of the Patriarchal faction issued notice
summoning a meeting of the church representatives for 22.8.1935 to
elect the Malankara Metropolitan. The notice stated that none of the
persons belonging to Catholicos faction should be elected. Meeting was
held on 22.8.1935 and Mar Poulose Athanasius was elected as the
B Malankara Metropolitan, and the trustees appointed on 26.12.1934 in
M.D. Seminary Meeting were removed. C.M.A. No.74 of 1107 was
dismissed for non-prosecution. Thereafter the Patriarch group instituted
Samudayam suit on 10.3.1938 which this court decided finally on
12.8.1958.
138. Issue No.14 was framed in Samudayam Suit as to defiance
C of the authority of the Patriarch. The submission that the defendants by
placing reliance on the authority ofthe·Catholicos had become heretics
or had voluntarily gone out of the church was not accepted as that had
been concluded by the decision ofVattipanam suit. The plea was barred
by the principle of res judicata. It was held that defendants 1 to 3 had
D not become heretics or had not set up a new church by accepting the
establishment of the Catholicate by Abdul Messiah with power to the
Catholicate for the time being to ordain Metropolitans and to consecrate
Moron and thereby reducing the power of the Patriarch over the
Malankara church to a vanishing point. It was also held that defendants
4 to 6 of patriarch faction had not been validly elected in the aforesaid
E meeting convened in 1935. This Court held in the Samudayam suit that
issues 14, 15, 16 and 19 were directly and substantially in issue in the
interpleader suit (OS No.94/ l 088) i.e. Vattipanam suit, and thus, these
questions could not have been re-agitated in the Samudayam suit. With
respect to the supremacy of the patriarch it was held that the averment
f was based on the new Constitution. It could not be said that the defendant
had incurred any disqualification. Assertion of the power of the Catholicos
would not mean repudiation of power of patriarch. In the instant case
also we find that due to Patriarch's action in the year 1972 of appointment
of Vicar and priests etc. unilaterally, created unrest in the church. It
again happened in 2002 onwards. It is in that context writ petitions came
G to be filed when Patriarch faction was not following the decision of this
Court of 1995 and did not participate in the election and in 2002 created
a new Constitution of2002 and a parallel administration. The aforesaid
writ petitions came to be filed in the High Court. The patriarch and his
faction ought to have accepted the judgment of this Court. At the same
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 169
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

time Catholicos ought to have respected the authority of the Patriarch. A
However ttie level at which the differences reached, in spite of the
judgment of 1995 which was binding on all concerned, the action of the
Catholicos faction cannot be said to be wholly illegal as an effort was
made by Patriarch to divide the church, and therefore they cannot be
said to have incurred any disqualification or can be termed as heretics, B
The writ petitions were ultimately dismissed but the unpleasant events
which happened in the case after 1995 judgment were wholly
unwarranted and ought not to have been resorted to by the Patriarch
faction. When this Court had appointed Justice Malimath by consent to
hold the elections, the decision of l 995 ought to have been respected by
the parties. It was the bare minimum respect to the judgment that was C
expected of the rival factions. Both the factions ought to resolve their
differences, if any, on a common platform and in case of necessity to
amend the Constitution further, if it became necessary but they could
not have taken at all a recourse to create the parallel system for
administration of the very churches, creating law and order problem, D
resulting into closure of the church for substantial time and having two
Vicars in the same church, serving in the church at different times each
day as per the interim order. The situation where the church has reached
is neither expected nor tolerable and church is not meant to be a place
for such a masculine culture. The matter was decided in the Vattipanam
suit, Samudayam suit and the 1995 judgment and the Patriarch faction E
ought not to have violated the judgment of this Court in the method and
manner in which it has been done. In the 1958 judgment also this court .
has laid down by an elaborate reasoning process that the 1934 Constitution
is binding on the Parish Churches. M.D. Seminary meeting was properly
held in which the I934 Constitution was adopted. It was clearly held in
F
Samudyam Suit by this Court;
"43. Learned counsel for the respondent has tried to find fault
with the notices in minor details. For instance, it has been argued
that in the notices other than Ex.59 no agenda was mentioned.
Apart from the fact that no such objection was taken in the plaint,
it is clear that those notices by a clear reference to Ex.59, specia_lly G
because they had all been sent together, did incorporate the agenda
set out in full in Ex.59. In our opinion, the M.D. Seminary meeting ·
was properly held arid the first defendant, who is now the sole
appeliant before us, was validly appointed as the Malankara
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170 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Metropolitan and as such became the ex-officio trustee of the
church properties. There is no question that the defendants 2 and
3 who are now dead had been previously elected by a meeting of
the Malankara Association duly convened and held and were
properly constituted trustees. fn this view of the matter it must
follow that the plaintiffs can not, even in their individual or
B
representative capacity, question the title of the defendants as
validly appointed trustees."
139. The same issue had been re-agitated in 1995 and again the
aforesaid questions have been raised about 1934 Constitution. authority
of Patriarch and Catholicos, appointment of Vicar/priests etc. which has
C been dealt with in the 1995 judgment also.
140. The principle enunciated by this Court in respect of Knanaya
Church is not at all applicable with respect to Parish Churches where
the finding of this Court is otherwise to the effectthat they are bound by
the 1934 Constitution. The spiritual supremacy of the Patriarch has not
D been put into question by the Catholicos faction it was not pleaded that
his appointment is not recognized by the Catholicos faction. The Universal
Synod in accordance with the applicable Canon appoints the Patriarch.
We are of the opinion that in the absence of any dispute as to the identity
who is the Patriarch, there is no question ofnot recognizing Patriarch by
E the Malankara Church hence. Rightly it has not been pleaded, but that
does not help the appellants with respect to appointment of Vicar and
Priests etc. However, what is the extent of authority of the Patriarch
has to be seen and gazed in the light of historical background- Kalpanas
- and what has been held in various representative suits from time to
time which are binding to the extent the issues decided. We are of the
F considered opinion that once office of the Catholicos has been re-
established, Patriarch could not exercise the powers which have been
dealt with in the 1934 Constitution, and conferred on various authorities
in hierarchy of church, that too unilaterally to create another centre of
power and thereby the Patriarch cannot be permitted to create parallel
G system of administration by appointing Vicars, Priests and Deacon or
another authority of Church. He is bound to act within the four corners
of thel934 constitution for the sake of peace in the church. In the
temporal matters, Patriarch has no power and the spiritual power had
also come to the vanishing point by his own acts as noticed by this Court
in the 1995 and other judgments. Submission to the contrary on behalf of
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 171
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

the appellants that he can exercise the powers after informing the A
Catholicos, cannot be accepted. The Malankara Metropolitan has to be
of local area. Logically also for proper management of the affairs of
Churches power cannot be exercised from abroad. Such a scenario is
neither conceived nor feasible or permissible. The spiritual supremacy
of one holy authority over the other, also cannot per se mean exclusion
B
and subordination of the other religious authority. When there is delegation
and delimitation of the territorial and other powers, concerned authorities
however high they may be, spiritually or otherwise, have to follow the
discipline and strictly act as per delimitation of zones and powers. It is
absolutely necessary for survival of the Church and for proper
administration. c
-
IN RE: THE.1934 CONSTITUTION IS IN THE NATURE OF A
CONTRACT, ENFORCEABLE AT PRESENT:
141. It was urged by Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior counsel
. appearing on behalf of the appellants that the 1934 Constitution is in the
nature of a contract and it can be discharged in 3 ways - by performance, D
frustration and breach. Since the Catholicos have breached the
Constitution by repudiating the supremacy of the Patriarch, it stands
discharged and no longer binds the appellants. Under section 37 of the
Indian Contract Act, 1872 the parties to the contract must either perform
or offer to perform their respective promises unless such performance E
is dispensed with or excused by law. The Catholicos group disallows the
Patriarch group to follow their faith as provided in the 1934 Constitution
by repudiating the supremacy of the Patriarch. Once they are in breach
of the 1934 Constitution and not adhering to the contract, they are not
entitled to rely on the same. It is worse to comprehend that the Parish
churches where the Patriarch group is in majority, should even confess F
to a Vicar owing allegiance to the Catholicos, and if they want to follow
their faith of supremacy of the Patriarch then the management of the
Parish Church properties vesting in t_rust will be forfeited in favour of
the Catholicos of the Malankara Church which would be in violation of
the provisions contained in Article 25 of the Constitution. We find that G
the source of the entire problem is that the Patriarchs faction is not
ready to accept Vicar and priests and the management which vests not
only in Catholicos but also in Malankara Metropolitan, Diocesan
Metropolitan. They want to have their own system of management by
creating parallel managing groups as noted by this Court in the 1995
H·
172 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A judgment also. In 1972 genesis of entire problem in the Churches was
appointment of Vicar etc. made unilaterally on behalf of the Patriarch.
Thereafter this Court had rendered the judgment and held that it was not
open to the Patriarch to do it in the method and manner that it was done.
Even assuming for a moment that Patriarch was having those powers,
B he could not exercise them unilaterally and the 1934 Constitution prevails
in the churches, is a clear finding of this Court. Thus the Patriarch has
also acted against the 1934 Constitution as well as the Canon by which
Catholicos have been re-established in 1912 and after delimitation of
areas. The Patriarch faction for no good cause is ready to accept the
ecclesiastical and spiritual powers ofthe Catholicos and others as provided
C in the Constitution and Kalpana's and as held by this Court in the previous
judgments, It was held in 1905 in the Arthat Suit that the Churches and
their properties are subject to spiritual, temporal and ecclesiastical
jurisdiction ofMalankara Metropolitan. The Patriarch's claim of control
over the temporal affairs of the Malankara Church was rejected. It
D was also rejected in the Seminary Suit filed in 1879. The effort made by
the Patriarch faction appears to be for the temporal gains under the
guise of supremacy of the Patriarch as the Vicar and priests have the
power of management in addition to performing the religious duties. The
submission that the 1934 Constitution has been breached by the Catholicos
cannot be accepted. There is not only violation ofbindingjudgment 1995
E of this Court by the Patriarch factiOn but of other binding precedents
too, I• I

It was vigorously urged by- Shri K.Parasaran, learned senior
counsel that the 1995 judgment was rendered to reconcile the two warring
factions. Observations made by this Court at Para 157 of the 1995
F judgment have been relied upon in which it has been observed that the
directions were issued to bring about-reconciliation between the two
warring groups and establish peace in Malankara Church which should
be desired by every well-meaning member of the Church. The learned
senior counsel urged that the conduct of the Catholicos in refusing to
recognize the Patriarch undermines the 1995 judgment of this Court. As
G a matter of fact when execution of 1995 judgment was pending, in spite
of appointment of Justice Malimath with consent of the parties to hold
the elections, the Patriarc_h faction took up different stance in the gross
violation of dictum, and there was breach of constitution on its part. It
was bent upon to circumvent 1995 judgment and created illegally a parallel
H system of administration and also formed the Constitution 2002 which
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN , 173
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

was totally uncalled for and an impermissible action. After formation of A
the Constitution of2002 they held separate meetings of Patriarch groups,
and entire system was usurped. This resulted in various law and order
problems as projected in the case and Parish Churches remained closed
for quite some time. Once there is a Malankara Church it has to remain
as such. No group or denomination can take away the Church and form B
another group for its management as that would virtually tantamount to
usurping its properties and the Church itself. When the Church has been
created and is for the benefit of beneficiaries, in our opinion, it is not
open for beneficiaries even by majority to usurp its property or
management.
142. Shri K.Parasaran, learned senior counsel, next urged that C
the Samudayam case has no bearing on the present proceeding. It was
submitted that the Samudayam suit was with respect to the common
trust property of the Malankara Church. No doubt about it that the dispute
in Samudayam Suit was with respect to community property but
considering the rival claims, various issues which were raised, had been D
gone into and the findings had been recorded thereupon in order to decide
the said controversy, are binding as suit was representative suit. Thus
the issues which have been decided in the suit, cannot be re-opened;
including the question of adoption of the I934 Constitution, its validity
and binding nature. The applicability and legality of 1934 Constitution
was questioned in the Samudayam suit. A ground was raised that by E
formation of the 1934 Constitution, supremacy of the Patriarch has been
taken away. This Court in I995 judgment construed Samudayamjudgment 1
and there is no scope to differ with the sam~.
Shri K.Parasaran, learned senior counsel, urged that the High
Court has not assigned any reason why the judgment of the trial court F
was erroneous. We have gone through the judgment and examined the
entire case. In our opinion the High Court h~s rightly granted the
declaration sought for in the facts and circumstances of the case, projected
in the case. The declaration given that the Parish Churches are governed
by the 1934 Constitution is just and proper. G
143. It was also submitted that as the Catholicos have repudiated
the supremacy of the Patriarch, they have not come to the Court with
clean hands. Relying upon Mohammadia Coopi!rative Building Society
Ltd. v. Lakshmi Srinivasan Cooperative Building Society Ltd., (2008)
7 SCC 310, it was submitted that the discretionary relief in a suit for H
174 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A specific performance cannot be granted to a plaintiff who has come to
the court with a pair of dirty hands. We find that in the instant the Patriarch
faction is more to be blamed for disorder in the churches than the
Catholicos faction. They oughtto have followed 1995 judgment and other
decisions. That they have not done and have insisted upon their own
B system of management that is not permissible.
IN RE: UDAMPADY - ENFORCEABILITY, OF BINDING
NATURE AND 2002 CONSTITUTION:
144. In Mannathur Church matter, Shri Mohan Parasaran, learned
senior counsel, urged that the Church is having its own Constitution in
c the form of Udampady of I890 that was a registered document. The
High Court has found that in fact the Church had been administered by
the 1934 Constitution. The I934 Constitution is applicable to the Parish
Churches under the Malankara Church. The submission that the
Udampady will prevail cannot be accepted in view of the provisions
made in section 132 of the 1934 Constitution to the effect that all
D agreements which are not consistent with the provisions of this
Constitution are made ineffective and annulled and also in view of the
finding in the 1958 Samudayam matter that the Constitution had been
validly adopted and is applicable. The question cannot be re-agitated
and reopened under the guise ofUdampady. Udampady cannot hold the
E field for administration of such Parish Churches. Udampady is not a
document by which the Church came to be established. It is with respect
to its management only. Udampady cannot prevail over the Constitution
that has been adopted for all the Malankara Churches and is holding the
field. The registration of the Udampady cannot make it superior than the
Constitution and the latter will prevail as found by this Court in earlier
F decisions. The finding is binding, conclusive and has to be respected.
Even otherwise, in our opinion, Udampady cannot hold the field.
145. Shri Mohan Parasaran, learned senior counsel, has also relied
upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which recognizes the
right to form an association, and further goes on to state that no one can .
G be compelled to be part of an association. Article 20 is extracted
hereunder:
"Article 20.
( l) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and
association.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 175
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

· (2) No one may be compellea to belong to an association." A
(Emphasis supplied)
.· It was submitted by him that the right to form an association under
Article 19{ 1)(c) also carries with it the negative right, i.e. the righfnot to
be part of an association which can be inferred from the principle laid
down in the case of Bijoe Emmctnuel & Ors. v. State of Kera/a & Ors. B
( 1986) J sec 615 at paras 14-15 which are extracted hereunder:
"14. Apart from the fact that the circulars have no legal
sanction behind them in the sense that they are not issued tinder
the authority of any statute, we also notice that the circulars do.
not oblige each and every pupil tO join in the singirig even ifhe has · C
any conscientious objection based on his religious faith, nor is any. · ·
penalty .attached to not joining the singing. On the other hand, one
.of the circulars (the first one) very rightly emphasise the
importance of religious tolerance. It is said there, "AU religions·
. should be equally respected." . D
is. If the two circulars are to be so_interpreted as to compel each
and every pupil to join in the singing of the National Anthem despite·
his genuine, conscientious religious objection, then such compulsion
would clearly contravene the rights.guaranteed byArticle 19( 1)(a)
-and Article 25 (l)." " E
. ,ii- I .

He also relied upon Cheall'v.· APEX(1983) I AUER 1130; Smt.
Damyanti Naranga v. The Union of India & Ors. ( 1971) 1 SCC 678;
O.K Ghosh v. E.X Josep_h (1963) Supp l SCR 789; Suryapalsingh v.
U.P. Government AIR 1951 AH 674; and Sitharamachary v. Sr. Dy.
. Inspector of Schools AIR 1958 AP 78. He urged that the 1995 f·
judgment cannot be read as ifthe appellant Church cannot leave the
Malankara Association as the same would re.suit in infringement of
fundamental rights of the majority of the Parishioners who are
· beneficiaries in this case belong to the Patriarch faction.
146. We are unable to accept the arguments by Shri Mohan G
Parasaran, learned senior counsel for various reasons. Firstly, no one
can deny the right under Article 20 of the Universal Declaration ofHuman
Rights. In ouropinion; counselis right that no one may be compelled-to
belong to an association. There is no compulsion with any of the
Parishioners to be part of the Malankara Church or Parish Church. There
H
176 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20 I 7] 9 S.C.R.

A can be an exercise ofunfettered volition notto be a part of an Association
but the question in the case is whether one can form another Association
within the same Association arid to run a parallel system of management
.of the same very church which is not permissible. Leaving a Church is
not the right denied but the question is whether the existing Malankara
Church can be regulated otherwise than by the 1934 Constitution. If the
B effort of certain group of Patriarch otherwise is to form a new Constitution
2002 to appoint V&caQ, Priests etc., giving a go by to the 1934 Constitution
and to form a new Church 11nder the guise of same Malankara Church,
it is not permissible, The Malankara Church its properties and other
mattors 8R to be 3overned by the 1934 Constitution and even majority
C of parishioners has no right to take away and usurp the church itself or
to create new system of management contrary to l 934 Constitution. It
was a trust created as Malankara church that is supreme, for once a
trust always a trust.
As per the 1934 Constitution, it is clear that while individual
D Parishioners may choose to leave the Church, there is no question of
even a majority ofthe Parishioners in the Parish Assembly by themselves
being able to take the movable or immovable properties out of the ambit
of the 1934 Constitution, without the approval of the Church hierarchy.
14 7. It is necessary to look into the various provisions provided in
E the 1934 Constitution to deal with the aforesaid aspect. Part I contains
the Decillrntion. Sections I, 2, 3 and S are extracted hereunder:
" I. The Maltsnkam Church is a division of the Orthodox Syrian
Church. The Primate of the Orthodox Syrian Church is the
Patriarch of Antioch.
F 2. The Malankara Church was founded by St. Thomas the Apostle
· and is included in the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East and the
PriCAAte gf the Orthodox Syrian Church of the East is the
Cllttolk:O:l•
.3. the ancient and the real name of the Malankara Church is the
G Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church although it is also wrongly
· called 'The focobite Church', for the same reasons for which the
Orthodox Syrian Church has been also called so.
· 5 lhe 8P(ltoVed Canon of this Church is the Hudaya Canon written
by Bar Ilebraeus (the same Canon book as the one printed in
H Paris in the year 18911. )"
~ ' ,. '' .

__ Jj '1..r~lk.
. K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST."PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 177
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

14,8. As per section '6, every Parish Church shall have a Parish A
Assembly and there would be one Parish Register. Entry of each member
shall be made in the· Parish Register. It is open to become a permanent
member or a temporary member of the Parish Church as provided in
section 9. The Vicar has to convene the Parish Assembly meeting as
provided in section 12. As per section 13, Parish Assembly shall m~et at
least twice in a year. As per section 15 the Vicar shall be the President B
As per section 16 there shall be a Secretary for the Parish Assembly.
Section 17 provides the duties of the Parish Assembly which shall include
. the election of the Kaisthani (Lay Steward), the Secretary and the
members of the Managing Committee; and as p,et section 18 the Vicar
shall send the decisions of the Parish Assembly to the Diocesan C
Metropolitan. Appeal lies against the decision of the Parish"Assembly to
the Diocesan Metropolitan under section 19.
Section 22 of the 1934 Constitution _deals with apportionment of
money. It is extracted hereunder: ·
"22. After setting apart the portion referred to in Section 122 ** · D
hereunder, the balance shall be spent on the following items, in
_. the following order of priority and only any balance remaining
over may be spent for other rieeds of the Parish and the Church
in general:-
(a) Day-to-day expenses in connection with the Holy Qurbana, E
festivals and other ministrations of the Church.
(b) Expenses in connection with the maintenance and upkeep of
the.Jarish Church and other Parish buildings.
. - .
(c) Salary of the Vicar, the other Priests, the Sexton etc; , F
(d) Payments due to the Church Centre and theDiocesan Centre .. ·
(e) Expenses for the Schools, Charitable Hospitals, Orphanages,
Sunday Schools; Prayer meetings, Gospel work and the like -
conducted by the Parish Church.
Section 122. Out of the annual gross income of a Church including G
its properties, l 0% for the first Rs 500/-; and 5% for the remaining
Rs 500/- to Rs 1500/- and 2.5% for the amount above Rs 1500/-
shall be sent every year to the Malankara Metropolitan. If the
percentage as stated above of any church is les·s than,Rs I 0/-, not ' .
H
178 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A less than Rs I0/- shall be sent from that Church to the Malankara
Metropolitan under this item." .
149. Section 23 deals with acquisition of immovable property or
sale or creation of any charge on immovable property of the Parish
church for which decision shall be made by the Parish Assembly with
B the previous written consent of the Diocesan Mefropolitan and shall be
executed by the Vicar and the Kaisthani. Section 23 is extracted·
hereunder: · ·'
."23. The acq11isition 9f any immovable property for the Parish
Church or the sale or creation of any charge on the immovable.
c property of the Parish Church, shall be in pursuance ofthe decision
made by the Parish Assembly and the written consent of the
Diocesan Metropolitan and shall be executed by the Vicar and
the Kaisthani (Lay- Steward)."
For every Parish Assembly ther~ has to be a Parish Managing·
D Committee as provided in section 24. Its membership is dealt with in
section 25. The Vicar and Secretary are the members. The Vicar shall
be president of the Parish Managing Committee as per section 26. The
Vicar shall reporttothe Diocesan Metropolitan about the election of the
Kaisthani, the Secretary and other members of the Parish Managing
Committee. Section 28 ·deals with calling of the Parish Managing
E Committee meeting by the Vicar.As per section3 l, the Parish Managing
Committee shall prepare the yearly budget. Kaisthani (lay-steward) is
also a part of the Parish Church and is elected by the Parish Assembly
as provided In section 33. He shall maintain correct accounts as provided
in section 35 and when the Diocesan Metropolitan comes to the Church,
F he shall get the books of accounts signed by Diocesan Metropolitan and ·
sealed. As per section 36, the Vicar has to send two copies of.the
summarized statement of accounts passed at the Parish Assembly to.
the Diocesan Metrop0litan for his approval. As per section 37 the movable
and immovable properties of the.Paris~ Church shall be entered into a
register.
G
There shall be a Vicar for every Parish Church; other priests, if
any shall be assistants of the Vicar as per section 38. The Vicar and
other priests shall be appointed, removed or transferred by the Diocesan
Metropolitan as per section 40.
The Vicar has to maintain various registers as provided in section
H 43.
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 179
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

1SO ..Part 3 of the 1934 Constitution deals with Diocese. There A
shall be a Diocesan Assembly as provided in section 4S. Its constitution
is provided in section 46 which is extracted hereunder: ·
"46'. The following shall be the members of the Diocesan Assembly,
VIZ

a) A priest from each Parish Church e.lected by the Parish 8
Assembly, provide that if in any Parish Church, there is only_ one
priest, he shall be the priest representative of the Parish Church
without the need of an elec.tion.
b) Men alone who are elected by the Parish Assembly in the
manner specified hereunder on the basis of the number of members C
in the Parish Assembly shall be members of .the Diocesan
Assembly..
I. Up to 200 members 1 representative ·
2. · From 20 l to SOO members 2 representatives D
.3. From SO I to I000 members • 3 representatives
4. From 1oo I to t 500 members - 4 representatives
S. From !SOI to 2000 members - S representatives
6. From 2001 to 2SOO members - . 6 representatives E
· - · ' 7. From 250 l to 3000 members - 7 representatives
8.' From 3001t~3500 members - · 8 representatives
· 9. From3501to4000 members 9 representatives
·10. Above 4000 members 10 representatives F
Members in this Article refer to the members as contemplated
--:-;\nd mentioned in the amended Clause (7) of the 1934 Constitution.
c) By any reason, if a vacancy arises in the membership of the
Diocesan Assembly from any Parish, that Assembly shall elect
another person for the remaining period alone and such election G
shall be reported to the Diocesan Metropolitan in writing."
Section 46 was amended as per 199S Judgment. There has to be
election of Diocesan Secretary and appointment of auditor to examine
· the accounts of the income and expenditure as per section 47. The
H
180 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Secretary shall have to maintain the correct accounts of the income and
expenditure under section 51. Section 53 provides that funds of the
Diocese shall be deposited in the name of the Diocesan Metropolitan.
Section 54 deals with acquisition of immovable property or the disposal
of or creation of any charge. Section 54 of the Constitution is extracted
hereunder:
B
"54. The acquisition of any immovable property for the Diocese
or the disposal of or creation of any charge on any immovable
property of Diocese shall be done by the Diocesan Metropolitan
and the Diocesan Secretary jointly and in pursuance of a decision
thereto made by the Diocesa.n Assembly and written consent of
c the Malankara Metropolitan."
For every Diocese there shall be Diocesan Council. Decisions of
the Diocesan Metropolitan are appealable to the Malankara Metropolitan
as provided in section 62. There snail be a Diocesan Metropolitan as
provided in section 63. Section 64 provides the Catholicos in consultation
D 'Yith the MalankaraAssociation Managing Committee and according to
the recommendation of the Malankara Episcopal Synod allocate Dioceses
to the Metropolitans which is extracted hereunder: ·
"64. The Catholicos in consultation with the MalankaraAssociation
Managing Committee and according to the recommendation of
E the Malankara Episcopal Synod allocate Dioceses to the
Metropolitans. "
Section 65 deals with power of Diocesan Metropolitan and the
matters concerning faith, order and discipline etc. same is reproduced
below:
F
"65. Matters concerning faith, order and discipline shall, subject
to the decisions of the Malankara Episcopal Synod, be under the
-control of the Diocesan Metropolitan"
As per section 66 the Diocesan Metropolitan shall carry on the
G administration subject to the supervision of the Malankara Metropolian.
Same is extracted hereunder:
"66. The Diocesan Metropolitan shall carry on the administration
of the Dioceses under their charge subject to the supervision of
the Malankara Metropolitan."
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 181
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Section 67 provides that the expenses of the Diocesan Metropolitan · A
on his visit to the churches of his Diocese shall be borne by such churches.
151. Part 4 of the Constitution deals with Malankara Arch-
Diocese. It will have an Association by the name of "Malankara Syrian
Christian Association" as' provided in section 70. Section 71 provides for
membership in representative capacity with term of five years. Section B
76 deals with the registers of movable and immovable properties of the
community. Section 76 is extracted hereunder:
"76. There shall be a register for the movable a~d immovable
properties of the Community and it shall be kept by the Secretary
up to date and signed every year by the Malankara Metropolitan C
and two members ofthe Committee." '
For every Malankara Syrian Christian Association (Malankara
Association), there shall be a Managing Committee aS provided in section
78. The Malankara Metropolitan shall be the President of the Managing
Committee as provided in section 80. Section 83 deals with the D
expenditure from the funds of the Maiankara Diocese which is extracted ·
hereunder: ·
"83. If any expenditure from the monies funds of the Malankara
Diocese is to be made the majority of the Malankara Episcopal
Synod and the majority of the Managing Committee members E
other than the Prelates shall agree."
Property acquisition is dealt with in section 85. It is extracted
hereunder: -
"85. If any property is to be purchased for the Community or if
any property of the Community is to be alienated or any liability F ·
created over the same, it shall be so decided by the majority of
the Managing Committee and the Malankara Episcopal Synod
and the deed therefore shall b'e exectite<i by the Malankara
Metropolitan and the Associate.Trustees ifthe property belongs
to the Joint Trust properties and by the Malankara Metropolitan
alone if.it betOngs to the Malankara Metropolitan Trust." G
· 152. There shall be community trustees for theVattipanam (Trust
Fund) and the Kottayam Syrian Seminary with the Malankara
Metropolitan as per section 9 I. It is extracte4 hereunder:
H
182 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A "91. With the Malankara Metropolitan there shall be two persons,
a priest and a layman who shall be the Trustees for the Vattipanam(Trust
Fund) and the Kottayam Syrian Seminary and the income which have
accrued or shall be accruing therefrom."
Section 92 provides the Malankara Metropolitan shall be the trustee
B for the rest of the community properties. It is extracted hereunder:
"92. The Malankara Metropolitan shall be the Trustee for the rest
of the Community properties if they are not subject to other special
provisions."
For Malankara archdiocese there shall be Malankara Metropolitan
C who shall have jurisdiction regarding temporal, ecclesiastical and spiritual
administration of the Malankara church. The provision of section 94
which is significant is reproduced above.
Section 95 provides that in case there is no Diocesan Metropolitan
in any Diocese; such Diocese shall be under the direction administration
D of the Malankara Metropolitan. The Association shall elect Malankara
Metropolitan to that office. The Catholicos may also hold the office of
the Malankara Metropolitan as provided in section 98 which is extracted
above.
153. Part 5 of the Constitution deals with the Catholicos. Sections
E 99 and I00 afore-extracted deal with them.
The Catholicos has the powers of the consecration of Prelates,
presiding over the Episcopal Synod, conducting administration as
representative of the Synod and consecrating the Holy Moron.
154. "Patriarch" is dealt with in Part 6 of the Constitution in section.
F
IOI which provides that the Malankara Church shall recognize the
Patriarch, canonically consecrated with the cooperation ofthe Catholicos.
155. Episcopal Synod for Malankara Church shall be there as per
· section 102 contained in Part 7. All Prelates in Malankara Orthodox
Syrian Church shall be the members of the Synod. Catholicos shall be
G the President as per section l 04. The Catholicos shall convene the Synod
and preside over it as provided in section I05. In case there is no
Catholicos, Senior Metropolitan shall convene the Synod and preside
over the same. As per section I07 the Episcopal Synod shall have the
authority to decide matters concerning faith, order and discipline. Same
H is extracted hereunder:
K. S.,VARGI:IESE & ORS. v; ST; PETER'S & PAUL'S SY.:RIAN 183
ORTH. & ORS;-[ARUN MISHRA, J.]

"107 .. The Episcopal Synod shall have the authority to decide A
IIlatters concerniqg faith, order and discipline. When the Synod
shall meet for this purpose the-Synod may select such persons as
the Synod may deem needed for consultation.''...
No one shall have the right to alter the faith of the Church. Section
I 08 is extracted hereunder: . B
"108. No. one shall have the. rightto alter the faith of the Church.
· , But:in case there may arise ·any dispute· as to what is faith, the
. Episcopal synod above said.may decide the matter and the final
decision abol1t this shall vest with the Ecumenical Synod."
156. Ordination is dealt with in Part 8 of the 1934 Constitution; c
Deacons and priests should have passed the degree examination for
ordination as provided in sections 110 and 111. With respect to high priests,
as provided in section 112, Catholicos shall consecrate with the.
cooperation of the Episcopal Synod, the required number of Bishops and
Metropolitans for the Malankara Church. Sections 110, 11 l and U 2 are
extracted hereunder: , .. · D
"I ! 0. A candidate for ordination should have atleast passed the
Degree Examination. ·
· I l I. Those desiring to be ordained shall on the recommendation
of the Parish Assembly or on their own apply to the Diocesan
Metropolitan and he after due inquiry if he feels no objection shall E
send them to the Malankara Metropolitan and he according to the
convenience shall send them to the Theological Seminary of the
community and if needed theological sti1dy the Principal of the
Seminary certifies that they are fit for ordination; theDiocesim
Metropolitan orthe Malankara M.etropolitan will ai their discretion F
ordain theni: ,But. ~ft~(thre~ yimrs of theological· ~t~di~s 'ifa
certificate is is stied by the· Principal the ordination of Korooya
-· (Reader)may be administered. B, High Priests (Prelates)
112. The Catholicos shall consecrate with the co-operation of the
Episcopal Synod the required numberofBishops and Metropolitans G
for the Malankara Church. On. the occasion of consecration of a
Bishop or a Metropolitan such Bishop or Metropolitan shall submit
a statement regarding faith and submission (Salmoosa)' to the
Catholicos, the President of the Synod. The Catholicos shall give
a certificate of consecration (Sthathicon) to the Prelilte so
consecrated." H
184 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 157. If any one shall be consecrated as Catholicos, the Association
shall elect him to that office. The Synod shall consecrate the person as
Catholicos and there shall be invitation to Patriarch when the Catholicos
is to be consecrated and ifthe Patriarch arrives, he shall consecrate the
Catholicos with the cooperation of the Synod. Section 114 is extracted
B hereunder :
"114. If any one shall be consecrated as Catholicos he shall be
elected to that office by the Association. If such election is
approved by the Episcopal Synod, the Synod shall consecrate the
person as Catholicos. If there be a Patriarch recognized by the
Malankara Church the Patriarch shall be invited when the
c Catholicos shall be consecrated and if the Patriarch arrives he
shall as the President of the Synod consecrate the Catholicos
with the co-operation of the Synod."
If it is necessary to consecrate a Catholicos then invitation is to
be sent to Patriarch. In case he attends, he shall, as the President of the
D Synod, consecrate the Catholicos with the cooperation of the Synod
otherwise Synod shall consecrate the Catholicos.
158. Complaints and decisions are dealt with in Part 9 with which
we are not much concerned. 'Income' is dealt with in Part 10 of the
Constitution. Sections 122 and 123 are relevant and they are extracted
E hereunder:
'
"122. Out of the annual gross income of a church including income
from its properties, l 0% on the first Rs 5001-; and 5% for the
remaining Rs 5001- to Rs 1500/- and 2 \12% for the amount above
Rs 1500/-shall be sent every year to the Malankara Metropolitan.
F If the percentage as stated above of any church is less than Rs
101-, not less than Rs l 0/-shall be sent from that Church to the
Malankara Metropolitan under this item.
123. The Malankara Metropolitan shall allot the income derived
as above at the rate of 4 out of ten to the Diocesan Bishop, 2to
G the Diocesan Fund, 1to the Malankara Metropolitan and 3 to the
Malankara Diocesan Fund."
159. Monastries are dealt with in Part 11 in sections 124 and 125.
The provisions are extracted hereunder:

H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 185
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

"124. Monasteries or similar institutions shall be established only A
with the approval of the Episcopal Synod and all such institutions
shall_ be subject to the authority of the Episcopal Synod.
125. If any or all members of any of the above institutions leave
this Church for another, all r~hts of such in the institutions or over
other assets shall thereupon lapse and the institutions and their B
assets shall remain for ever in the ownership of this Church."
160. Rule Committee is dealt with in Part 12 in sections 126 and
127. Section 128 provides that the Parish Assembly, the Parish Managing
Committee, the Diocesan Assembly, the Diocesan Council or the
Association Managing Committee shall have no authority fo pass any c
resolution concerning faith, order or discipline. Section 128 is extracted
hereunder: ·
"128. The Parish Assembly, the Parish Managing Committee, the
Diocesan Assembly, the Diocesan Council the Malankara
Association or the Association Managing Committee shall have o
• no authority to pass any resolution concerning faith, order or
discipline."
161. The Parish Assembly can pass byelaws that are not .;..
inconsistent with the:.: principles contained iti the Constitution. The
Diocesan Assembly or the Diocesan Council can also suggest and submit E
to the Managing Committee through the Rule Committee for
consideration as provided in section 129 that is extracted hereunder:
"129. Byelaws which are not inconsistent with the principles
·contained in this Constitution may be passed from time to time by
the Parish Assembly, the Diocesan Assembly or the Diocesan F
Council and submitted to the Managing Committee through the
Rule Committee and brought in to force with the approval of the
Ma~aging Committee."

162. All agreements, offices and practices which are not consistent·
with tlie provisions of the Constitution are made -ineffective and have G
been annulled as provided in Section 132 contained in Part 13
'Miscellaneous', and the same is reproduced hereunder:
"132. All agreements, offices and practices which are not consistellt
with the provisions ofthis Constitution are hereby made ineffective
· and are annulled."
H
-- 186 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 163. Various provisions of the Constitution make it clear thatthere
is a hierarchy of control and Parish Church properties cannot be dealt
with otherwise, the provisions contained in section 23 as to the written
consent of the Diocesan Metropolitan and the detailed system of
management, appointment of Vicar and the Kaisthani, Parish Assembly,
B as also the power to spend certa.in amounts as provided in section 22 of
the Constitution. The accounts are supervised and to be signed by the
Diocesan Metropolitan. Similarly the acquisition of any immovable
property fo~ the Diocese can be with the written consent of the Malankara
Metropolitan. It is apparent from the aforesaid provisions that there is a
hierarchy of control that is provided with respect to the Church properties ,.
C also. The community trustees are also provided for the Vattipanam that
is Trust Fund. Section 94 provides for the temporal, ecclesiastical and
spiritual control of the MalankaraMetropolitan. Catholicos can also hold
the office ofMalankara Metropolitan. The Episcopal Synod h~ the power
to consecrate Cathlicos'. Whatever autonomy is there, is provided in the
D Constit4tionJor the Churches for necessary expenditure as provided in
section 22, otherwise it is Episcopal nature of the Church and once the
property vests in MalankaraChurch, it remains vested in it and cannot
be taken away and in case there is any dispute with respect to faith etc.
as is raised in the present case, it has to be decided by the Episcopal
Synod and in case any bye-law is to be changed, its remedy is available
E under the provisions of sections 126, 127 and 129. Faction of Parish
cannot decide against Constitution. Byelaws must conform to Constitution.
The income has to be dis~ributed as per sections 120 to 123.

164. The submission raised that by majority, decision can be taken
to opt out of the 1934 Constitution by the Parish Assembly and to form a
F new church under anew name, as has been done in 2002. In our opinion
Constitution prohibits such a course. Even bye-laws that do not conform
to Constitution cannot be framed and that has to be placed before Rule
Committee under sections 126; 127. and 129. In existing system of
Malankara Church, a Parish Church that is a part of Malankara Church
G cannot be usurped even by majority In Church under the guise of
formation ofnewChurch. In this regard Shri K.Venugopal, learned senior
counsel has urged that the existing majority at a given time in any Parish
Church cannot be permitted to take away the assets of the church at the
expense of those who adhere to the original Trust.

H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 187
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.)

165. The majority vi.ew in the 1995 judgment refused .to give A
declaration with respect.to property in the absence of Parish churches.
However it was.observed that the. 1934 Constitution shall govern and
regulate the affairs of the Parish. Churches insofar as the Constitution
provides for the sarne. In the abserice of any further prayer rriade, suffice
it to hold that the 1934 Cbnstitutiqn shall gqvem the affairs of the Parish
8
Churches in respectrif teinporal matters also insofar as it so provides
and discussed by\ls.''tii~ ¥11liqk~~a Churcli is F;pisccipal t0 the extent it .
is ~o declared in ifl~ 1934 Cort~fituti~n as h~id in the I995judgment. The
1934 Constitution governs· the :affairsof Parish Malankara Chi.uches
and shall prevail. · · ··
c.
. 166. Irrour opinion, otherwise also, property cannot be taken away
by the majority or otherwise and it will remain in Trust as it has been for
the time immemorial for the sake ofberieficiaries. ·It is for the benefit of
beneficiaries. No o:ne can become owners by majority decision or
permitted to usurp. Church itself. I~ has to remain in perpetual succession
a
for the purpose it has been created Malankara Church. Learned counsel D
has relied upon a decision in Craigdallie v; Aikma 3 ER 56 l thus:

"With respect to the doctrine ofthe English Jaw on this subject,
if property was given in trust for A,B,C, etc. forming a congregation
for religiqus worship; if the instrument provided for the case of a E
schism, then the court would act upon it; but if there was no such
provision in the instrument, and the c~ngregation happened to
divide, he did not find that the law of England would execute the
trust of a religious society, at the expense of a forfeiture of their
property by the. cestuique trusts, for adhering to the opi~ions and
principles in which the congregation had originally united. He
found no case which authorized him to say that the court would
a
endorse such trust, not for those who adhered to the original
principles of the society, but merely with a reference to the
majority; and much less, ifthose who changed their opinions, instead
of being a majority, did not form one in ten of those who had G
originally contributed; which was the principle here. He had met
with no case that would enable him to say, that the adherents to
the original opinions should, under such circumstances, for that
adherence forfeit their rights."
188 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 167. In Attorney General v. Pearson (1817) 3 Mer 353, Lord
Eldon LC again held that "where a congregation become dissentient
among themselves, the nature of the original institution must alone be
looked to, as the guide for the decision of the Court- and that to refer to
any other criterion - as to the sense of the exiting majority- would be to
B make a new institution, which is altogether beyond the reach, and
.
inconsistent with the duties and character, of this court."

168. In General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland v
Overtoun ( l 904)AC 515, Earl ofHalsbury, LC, held that after discussing
the judgments cited above, that "the principles f9r decision thus
c propounded have been recognized and acted upon ever since, and it
would :;eem that it may be laid down that no question of the majority of
persons can affect the question, but the original purposes of the trust
must be the guide." ·

InShergillv. Khaira (2014) 3 All ER 243 (Supreme Cot~ of the
D United Kingdom), the above judgments were all cited with approval and
relied upon by the Court.

169. From the aforesaid it is apparent that the Parish Assembly
by majority cannot take away the property and divert it to a separate
E and different church that is not a Malankara Church administered as per
the 1934 Constitution, though it is open to amend the Constitution of
1934. As the basic documents of creation of church have not been placed
on record, usage and custom for determining the competing claims of
rival factions becomes relevant. In Pearson (supra), it was held thus:

F "But there is another view in which the case should be considered
-and it is this-that, where an institution exists for the purpose of
religious worship, and it cannot be discovered from the deed
declaring the trust what form or species of religious worship was
intended, the court can find no other means of deciding the question,
than through the medium of an inquiry into what has been the
G usage of the congregation in respect to it; and, if the usage turns
out upon inquiry to be such as can be supported, I take it to be the
duty of the Court to administer the trust in such a manner as best
to establish the usage, considering it as a matter of implied contract
between the members of that congregation."
H
,-{. ~ ..

K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 189
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

170. Hill in the book "Law-0fTrusts and Trustees" has discussed A
the concept of law. It is not open to members of private or public trusts
to appropriate trust property for themselves. Hill had been quoted in the
1995 jud~ment thus:
"However, the crucial difference surely is that no absolutely
entitled members exist if the gift is on trust for future and existing B
members, always being for the members of the association for
the time being. The members for the time being cannot under
the association rules appropriate trust property/or themselves
for there would then be no property held 011 trust as intended
by the testator for those persons who some years later happened C
to be the members of the association for the time being."
(emphasis supplied).
171. Thus, we have no hesitation to hold that the 2002 Constitution
cannot hold the field to govern the appellant churches and the 1934 ·
tonstitutiun is binding. Finding recorded by the High Court that the
Kolencherry Church was not administered by the 19 J3 Udampady and D
was administered in accordance with the 1934 Constitution, in our opinion,
is correct at foast after the Consitution was adopted. General body
meeting of 8.3 .1959 has adopted the 1934 Constitution. Udampady cannot ·
hold the field by virtue of section 132 of the Constitution and there is .
other oral evidence that had been assessed by the High Court including E
. the documentary evidence and the Udampady cannot be taken to govern.
Moreover in view of the findings in the 1958 Samudayam suit and the
1995 judgment, the Constitution of 1934 is binding which has been held
to .. be...valid and Malankara Church has to be administered as per the
provisions contained therein. Thus Udampady of 1913 cannot be set up
or used as ploy to avoid the provisions of 1934 Constitution. Thus the F
main plank of submissions is also barred by the principle ofres judicata.
172. Shri Shyam Divan learned senior counsel raised the
submission on the basis of 1913 Udampady saying that Church was
governed as per Udampady from I 9 i3 to 1959. He urged that once the
Parish Assembly decided in 1959 to go by the 1934 Constitution, it could G
also take a decision to go by the Udampady of 1913. It was further
submitted that the 1913 Udampady operates as the Constitution of
individual Parish Church. 1913 Udampady is a registered document and
has to prevail over unregistered Constitution.
H
190 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017] 9 S.C.R.

A We propose to e.xtract both Udampadies of 1890 and 1913
hereunder. The Udampady of 1890 is extracted below :
"Translation of the regd. Udampady of 1890 AD of St. George
Jacobite Syrian Church, Mannathoor.
Face ~alue - Rs.5
B
lnthe year I 890AD, onthedayof 4th Karkidakom of 1065 M.E.,
before Your Grace Paulose Mar lvanios, our Metropolitan of
Kandanadu church and others (Kandanad Diocese) in Malankara,
we Nazranis (ChFistians) and farmers who are the members of
Mannathoor Church situated in Miumathoor kara, Koothattukulam
c Pravarthy, Muvattupuzha Mandapathuvathukkal-
1. Chacko Kora aged 65, Kuzhalanattu, Mannathoor
2.· Ulahannan Skaria aged 32, Padinjarekkara, Mannathoor
3: Varky Mani aged 37, Peringattuparambilp:uthenpurayil
,
D Mannathoor, '
4. Iype lype aged 36, Kalarikkal, Mannathoor,
5. Mani Varky aged 49, Madathikudiyil, Mannathoor,
6. Cheria Pothen aged SO, Pallithazhathuputhenpurayil,
Mannathoor
E 7. Mani Adai aged 47, Puthenpurayil Mannathoor
8. Itti lype lype aged 38, Vadakkemandolil, Mannathoor
9. Chummar Thomman aged 37, Neltithanathu Puthenpura,
Mannathoor,
F 10. Cheria Chacko aged 51, Chemmankuzha, Mannathoor
I I. Pothen Paily aged 30, Iliyammel Naduvilayikkal, Mannathoor
12. Paily Varky aged 39, Naranattu, Mannathoor
I 3.Ulahannan Chacko aged 54, Kozhayikkal Karikkattu,
Mannathoor
G
14. Uthup Vaqrky aged 24, Kattayil, Mannathoor
15. Ulahannan Paily aged 59, Perimbara, Mannathoor and
16: Varky Chacko aged 28, Pul_inthanathu, Iliyapram kara,
Koothattukulam pravarthy together submitting this udambady as below.
H
. K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST..PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 191
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

In Mannathoor church, we the 16 members are the parish assembly . A
. and trustees as consented by Your Grace. Amongst us the persons
numbered as I, 3, 5, 7 Chacko Kora, Varky Mani, Mani Varky
and Mani Adai bought the land from Fr. Adai 'Pallippattu
Puthenpurayil by' paying I0,000 chakrams and got the deed
· registered as No.903 of 1062 M.E. Out of this amount, Rs~IOO B
paid by Chacko Kora, Rs.31 by Varky Mani and Rs.44 each by
Mani Varky and Mani Adai have dedicated these amounts to the
church and Rs.36 and I0 chakrams received from the remaining
members. Balance amount of Rs.95 and 15 chakrams to (je paid
to Chacko Kora from the church and the registered documents to
be kept by the trustees as decided and agreed. Hence till the C
administrative period of Your Grace as the Metropolitan of
Kandanad Diocese, the decisions of this udampady shall be in
force and to continue as below we wholeheartedly agree and
reinforce this udampady.
I. Within the Jacobite Syrian Church and under the Holy See D
(hrone) of Antioch, we who belong to your Grace's Diocese and
,spiritual powers spall not defect/deviate or allow to defect/~vi-
ate against the Supremacy of His Holiness the Patriarch who is
· seated o the Petrine Throne of Antioch and the administrative
orders from Your Grace as the Metropolitan of Kandanad Dio-
cese. E

2.From 19'h ofChingam 1066 M.E. to Karkidakom 31'', the trust-
ees are Chacko Kora and Ulahannan Skaria numbered above as
1 and 2. They shall keep the keys of trust and will be responsible
for collecting all the recievables and offerings from members as
decided (as per padiyola) and spend for day to day expenditure. F
They shall keep records for all receipts and expenses. The state-
ments to be read out in the parish assembly at the year end. They
shall make two copies of the annua·I statements and get Your
Grace's markings on one copy. This copy along with the keys,
net balances .as. per the statement, assets and records plus the G
funds arising during the period between 1067 Chingam 1st and
Chingam 15th shall be read out in the parish assembly and then
handed over to the new trustees on the day of Chingam 1S'h
Perunnal (feast of ascension of St. Mary). Like the above every

' H
192 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017) 9 S.C.R.

A year two members will be elected as trustees and this will con-
tinue.
3. All the movable assets of the church including silver, bronze
and other metals all with a pr9per list, documents, registered deeds,
records etc. shall be kept with the trustees which they will safe-
B guard.and they shall meet all the requirements of the church in an
order..
4. The trustees if not handing over the keys, records and assets
as per the list to the newly elected trustees on time, the new
trustees can complain to Your Grace and if required they shall
c engage in legal case and shall settle if any.
5. Resheessa (offerings) to the Holy Throne of Anitoch and Your
Grace shall be handed over to Your Grace and get acknowledged.
We will follow the faith and clauses stated above and others and
the Canon laws and the kalpanas from time to time. Any one
D named above if found not following this Udampady or found dis-
.qualified, they and anybody who become members of the church
parish in future but found deviated from the faith they all shall be
removed from the parish assembly and the rest shall continue to
follow in the true faith and according to Your Grace's kalpanas.
No one shall question or disagree with all the above decisions and
E Your Grace's kalpanas but shall accept them. If any one found
otherwise we will abide Your Grace's decision.
Chacko Kora (Sign), Ulahannan Skaria (Sign), Varky Mani QSign),
Iype Iype (sign), Mani Varky (sign), Cheria Pothen (sign), Mani
Adai (sign), Itti Iype Iype (sign), Chummar Thomman (sign),
F Cheria Chacko (sign), Pothen Paily (sign), Paily Varky (sign),
Ulahannan Chacko (sign) Uthup Varkey (sign), Ulahannan Paily
(sign), Varky Chacko (sign).
Witness I. Mani Devassia, Moolamattathil Peringazha Kara (sign)
Witness 2. Mathai Mathai, Palakkaran, Muvattpuzha Angadi (sign)
G
Witness 3. Neelakandan Ayyappan, Pattarumadathil
(Sign)"
Similarly, Udampady of 1913 is as under:
"This deed of Udampady (Agreement) is executed on this the
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 193
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA. J.]

l 3'h day of Adimonth of 1088 M.E. corresponding to 1913 AD by A
l Fr. Ouseph aged 60 S/o Chacko Christian Thenugal house,
Pancode Kara, 2) Fr. Paulose aged 30 S/o Fr. Pathrose Christian
Kunnathu Vadakkakkara puthen puray ii kinginimattom kara 3) Fr.
Gheevarghese aged 28 S/o Fr. Ouseph Christian, Thenungal,
pancode kara 4) Fr. Gheerasese aged 28 S/o Paulose Christian
8
Murimattathil Ompalayil Elamkulam kara 5) Fr. Pathrose aged 22
S/o Paily Christian Chennakkattu padinjate Kunnathu, Peringole
kara all are Parish priests of Kolenchery church and priesthood,
Elamkulam karara, Aykkaranadu village, do desom, Kunnathunadu
taluk and 6) chacko aged 45 S/o Varkey Thenungal Alackal
Puthenpurayil Pancodekara 7) Cheriya aged 68 S/o Varkey, C
Pallikkakkudi, Elamkulam kara 8) Ittiavira aged 53 S/o Varkey
Chiramattathil do kara do desom 9) Mathu aged 32 S/o Ittoopp
Ayinadu Chirama Halip Puthenpurayil Kinginimattom kara I 0)
Pathrose aged 36 S/o Thomman, Chennakkattu Kalangamari
Puthenpurayil Kadayiruppu kara l l)Mathulla aged 32 S/o Mani D
Eloor, Elamkulam kara 12) Paulo aged 42 S/o Mathulla Eloor
Pannikkuzhiyil do kara 13) Paily aged 42 S/o Paily Olikkuzhi
Thathyaril residing at Chemthottil Puthenpurayil, Vadayampadikara
14) Varkey aged 60 S/o Puravathu, Puthukkedy Puthenpurayil,
P.ariyarom kara 15) Ithappiri aged 44 S/o Paily, Thuruthumariyl
Puthenpurayil called as Kallanikkal, Kingini mattom kara 16) Poulo E
aged 50 S/o Aypu, Murimattathil Ompala Elamkulam kara 17)
Kuruvila aged ~4 S/o Varkey Cheladu residing at Paramurickan
.. Puthenpurayil, Peringole kara 18) Chacko aged 39 S/o Fr. Ouseph
thenungal Pallippurathu Puthenpurayil do kara 19) Paily aged 41
S/o Varkey, Thamarachalil Elamkulam kara all are residing
F
Aykkaranadu Desom 20) Paily aged 37 s/o Uthuppan, vailayil
Puthen purayil, Ezhakkaranadu kara, Ramamangalam Desom,
Moovattupuzha taluk 2 !) Ittan aged 36 S/o Fr. Pathrose, Kunnathu
Vadakkekkara Puthenpurayil, Kinginimattom kara, Aykkaranadu
desom, Kunnathunadu taluk all are farmers Christian and Trustees
for the future administration of the do church 1) We are members G
of Jacobite trust and are under the Throne ofAntioch" and hence
we shall not do anything contrary to this 2) We shall be abide by
the Bulls and orders ofhis Holinoss Moran Mor lgnatious Patriarch
who is called as second Abdaloho who is our supreme head AND
sitting in the throne of Antioch, and, of his Grace Mar Kuriakose
H
194 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A Koorilose Metrapolitan accepted by the church as appointed and
ordained as the Metropolitan ofKandanadu Diocess, Association
Committee President and Malankara Metropolitan in Aluva Synod
by his Holiness. We shall pay the Ressissa to his Holiness Patriarch
and donation to the metropolitan, we shall obey his successor in
that place appointed from the Throne of Antioch 3). This deed of
B
Udampady (agreement) is executed as per the dairy of meeting
convened on 11 mday of month and it was decided to execute an
udampady by the now existing S priests and the 16 trustees in the
church out of the eighteen trustees and 4 four priests excluding
the I" among us Fr. Ouseph Thenungal due to his old age shall do
c the duties of the trustees. Out of the 18 trustees Kurian
Murimattathil is on bail and paily pulliattel is sick and hence they
are not joined in this Udampady and when their turn comes, duties
are to the performed after obtaining special kalpana. The 5 priests
among us shall do the spiritual duties in accordance with the
respective order and can take reasonable remuneration. Parties 2
D
to 5 shall hold the key of the trustee along with the Thannadu
Trustees every year in accordance with their turns as vicars and
shall do ,all the things of the church along with the trustees S) '.fhe
trustees shall perform their duties in accordance with the
Udampady executed on 84 Chingam 9th and executed in the sub-
E Regi stry Office Aykkaranadu as document No. 3. Fr.
. Gheevanghese Murimattathil Ompala, paily Ithappiri Thuruthumari
Puthenpurayil and Puravath Paily Poothenpurayil shall hold the
keys of trusteeship forthe turn coming from 89 Chingam 1 to3 I"
Karkkidakom and shal I take the income and keep the same to pay
the interest and dues of the assets, spent the amounts without any
F failure, keep the properties of the church under the lock and key
of trusteeship, keep the day book forthe income and expenditure
and complete the accounts every month end and year end.and
. submit the same in the meeting every year before 30'h of
· Karkkidalom every year. Two sets of accounts shall be prepared
G along with a report and submit the same before his grace and to
get the endorsement of the metropolitan in one copy, along with
the same shall obtain a Kalpana allowing it and submit the accounts
at properties, documents, keys along with a list in the meeting and
release the trusteeship and entrust the trusteeship keys to the
vicar and trustees of next turn. One vicar and two trustees shall
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN . 195
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

do this trusteeship job every year .11s afore mentioned for four A
years and after 31" Karkkidak of 92, the first turn as afore
mentioned shall repeat. Pattom, interest, rice, paddy etc. due to
. the church shall be collected and accounted the same in the assets
of the church the debts such asjenmi michavaroin, tax etc. shall
be paid and obtain receipt for the same, the further dues to the B
church shall be collected and recovered either through clerks or
· managers .so appointed for salary or through any person feels
good among the trustees with the kalpana of metropolitan after
discussing the matter in the meeting 6) sirlce the kottoor church
sits in Elamkulam kara do Desom has been renovated with the
funds of this church and the same has been functioning under this · C
church and incoine and expenditure of the said church_also had
been taken, by the church, the income from the said chilrch also
shall be accounted in the accounts of this church and shall function
as per the precedents. The spiritual functions shall be performed
by the 5 priests together orl tum basis ends in this church and they
0
can receive their share also.
'
There are 8 keys for the locker and the same is within the custody
of Fr. Poulose Ktinnathu Vadakke Puthenpurayil and Fr.
Ghevarghese Murimattthil Ompala among priests and Puravathu
Varkey Puthukudy Puthenpurayil, Varkey Ittiavira Thainarachalil,
Paily lthappiry, Thuruthumari Puthenpara Mani Mathulla. Elocr, E
· Thoma Puthrose Chennakkatu Kalongamoriyil and Ittoop Mathu,
. Chiramattathil Puthenpurayil among trustees. The income from
Nadavaravu, hundiees etc. on 29'h Midhunam after deducting the
'expenses, the income of ~very year after deducting the expenses
and silver crosses as per the list trusteeship shall be. kept in the f
above safe custody, the silver crosses and other things can be
used in the reasonable occasions and the same shall be put in
locker after the use. If the contribution in the cqrrent year found
to be insufficient to meet the expenses for special needs, the same
can be taken from the locker, and separate list and accounts shall
be maintained for the funds and things kept in the safe locker 8) G
In case any unexpected obstruction comes to any of us for
complying with' above said Udampady or declared to be disqualified
or disobedient or acted against clause 2 of this deed, those persons
shall do according to the Kalpana of the Metropolitan on the basis
H
196 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A of submissio.n made by the remaining parties. The General body
have the power to remove the trustees or to substitute them, and
to discuss and decide the special things arising with respect to the
church. The said things shall be written in a diary and incase of
any difference of opinion, the same shall be resolved by the kalpana
of the metropolitan on the basis of majority decision. As agreed
B
above this Udampady is written and signed with our full consent.
By do name of 1 to 21 witnesses 1 Varkey pally Akampillil
(signature) 2. Varkey Varkey Chettikkuzhi scribe (signature)
(Remaining portion are the names of 21 persons afore
mentioned.)"
c 173. In our opinion, none of submission of Shri Divan is legally
tenable. The church was created way back in the 7th century. The
Udampady of 1913 is not a document of creation of the Trust. The then
in-charge person executed it just for the management of the church in
question. The 1934 Constitution after being adopted in 1959 by the Church
D is bincHng. The Udampady of 1913 has lost its efficacy and utility. The
Udampady stands annulled by Section 132 of the Constitution. It cannot
be revived. Thus it is not open to the church or parishioners by majority
to wriggle out of 1934 Constitution. In view of the findings recorded in
the Samudayam suit also by the 1995 judgment, the question operates.
as res judicata and the administration on the basis ofUdampady cannot
E be claimed. The inconsistent provisions in the Udampady shall stand
annulled as per section 132 of the 1934 Constitution.
174. There are inconsistencies between the 1934 Constitution and
1913 Udampady .as such the latter cannot prevail. In terms of Section
132, any Udan1pady (agreement) which is inconsistent with the provisions
F of 1932 constitution stands annulled and is ineffective. The following
among others, are the important inconsistencies between the provisions
of 1913 Udampady and the 1934 Constitution.
1934 Constitution 1913 Udampady

Section I. The Malankara (Clause 2) We are Members of
G
Church is a division of Orthodox Jaobitc trust and are under the
Syrian Church. The Primate of Throne of Antioch and hence we
the Orthodox Syrian Church is shall not do anything contrary to
Patriarch of Antioch this

H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 197
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

Section2. The Milankara Church was fuundcd (Clause 2) We.shall abide the Bulls A
by St. Thomas the Apostle md is included in and orderS of his Holiness Moran ·
·Orthodox Syrian Church of the East and the Mor!gnatiOLL5 Patriarch who is called
Primate of the 01thodox Syrian Church of the a~ the sccondAbdalohoo "ho is our
Ea;t is Catholic-a; supreme head AND sitting in the
throne of Antioch and of his Q-ace . ,
Mar Kt[iakoseKoorilos B
Metropolitm aa;epted by the church
as appointed and ordained as the
Metropolitm ofKandanaduDiocess
Association Committee Pre;ident
and Malankara Metropolitan in .
Aluva Syi10d by his Holiress. · C

Section 120. The Vicar of every Parish Church (Cl ruse 2) We shall pay Ressissa to
shall collect "Rcssisa" a the rate of two annas hisHoliressPatriarchanddonatim
evel)' year from every rmle member who has tothe metropolitan, we shall obey
pass al the age of twenty one years, and shat I his succi:ssor in that place appointed
send the sarre to Catholicos from the Thrme of Antioch. D

S. 94. The l'!ime jurisdiction regarding the The 5 priests among us shall do the
temporal, ecclesiastical and spiritual spiritual duties in occonlance with
administration ofthe Malankar Church is vested the respe~"tive order and can take
in the Milankara Metropolitoo subject tio reasonable remuneration.
provisio11~ of this cmstitution E
6.... The spiritual functions will be
Section I I I. Those desiling to be ordainal shall perfunned by the five priests
on the recommendation of the Parish Assembly together on tum basis in this Church
or on their own apply to the Diocesan and they can receive their share also. ·
Metropolitan and he after due iiX]uiry if he frets
no ubjection shall send them to the Malankara F
Metropolitan and he accocding to the
convenience shall send them to the Theological
Semimry of the Comrmmity ood if needed
theological study the Principle of the Seminary
certifies .that they are fit for ottlination the
Diocesan Metropolitan oc the Malankara G
Metropolitan will at their disera ion ocdain
them But after three years of theological ~tudies
if a certificate is issued by the Principal the
ordinatim of Korooya (Reader) rmy be
administered
H
198 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2017) 9 S.C.R.

A 31. The duties of the Parish Managing TheTrusta:s shall perform their duties
Committee shall include the preparation in acrordance to the Udampady
of the yearly budget and the executed on 84 Chimgam 9th and
presentation of it to the Parish execttted in the sub registry Office
Assembly, the execution of the matters Aykkaranadu as document no. 3 Fr.
authorized by the Parish Asssembly, the Gheevanghese Murimattathil Ompila
B consideration and recommendation too Paly lthappiri Thuruthumati
the Parish Assembly of matters Puthenpurayil Pu111vath Paily
nel'essary of the parish and the Poothepurayil shall hold keys of the
examination of the accounts presented tmsteeship for the turn coming from
by the Kai sthani 8¢ Chingam 1·31' karkkdakom and
shall take the income and keep the
c 35. The duties ofKaisthani shall include same to pay the interest and dues of the
recon:ling md maintaining correct assets, spent the amounts without any
accounts cifthe Parish, receiving the failure, keep the properties of the
income and making the expenditure of church under the lock and key if
the Parish according to the direction of trusteeship, keep the day book for the
the Parish Assembly and the Parish income md expenditure and complete
Managing Committee; preparing the
D the accounts every month and year end
yearly accounts of the Parish every six and submit the same in the meeting
months and presenting the same to the every year before 3o"' of the
Parish Managing Committee and kai\:kdakom. T\\o sets of acl'Ounts
thereafter presenting the same to the shall be prepared along with the report
Parrish Assembly. When the Diocesan and submit the same befure his grace
Metropolitan comes to the Church on and to get the endorsement of the
E
his Parish visit the account books of the Metropolitm in one copy, along with
Parish shall be got signed by him the same shall obtain a Kalpana
36. The Vicar shall send or cause to be allowing it md submit the· accounts at
propaties, documents, keys along with
sent by the Secreta-y two wpies of the
summarized stitement of accounts the list in the meeting md releif>ethe
F trusteeship and entrust the trusteeship
pissed at tll: Parish Assembly to the
Diocesan Metropolitan fur his approval. keys to the Vicar and trustees of the
next tum. One vicar and two trusta:s
47. Election of the Diocesan Secretruy shall do this trustceshi p jon cv el)' year
and the members of the Diocesan as aforementioned for four years and
Council appointment ofauditor to after 31" karkkidak of92, the first turn
G examine the accounts of the income and as aforementioned shall repeat.
expenditure of the Diocese
consideration of the auditors report,
adoption of the Annual Accounts and
consideration and the decision of
matters necessa-y for Diocesan are
H within the functions of the Diocesan
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 199
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

51 . The duties of the Secretary include the A
recording and maintaining the correct
accow1ts of the income and the
expenditure of the Diocese. preparing he
statement of a~-counts o the Diocesan
Council at least tv.icc a year and
thereafter presenting the said Statemc11t of
Accowlls to the Diocesan Assembly and B
the recording and keeping the minutes of
the Diocesan Assembly and Diocesan
Council.
•
52. The Secretary shall get printed the
Statement of Accounts passed by he
Diocesan Assembly and forward the copy
of such accounts to every church within C
Diocese and one copy to Malana-a
Metropolitan

77. The duties of the Secretary include the
recording and maintaining the correct
accounts of the income and the
expenditure from the asset of the
Community and the revenue of the D
Malankara Ard1 Diocese, preparing and
presenting up to date Statement of
Accounts at the meetings of the
Association and the Managing
Com1nittce.

E
.175. In view ofthe above inconsistencies, as well as in light of the
findings of the Supreme Court in 1959 judgment and the 1995 judgment
·regarding the validity and the binding character of the 1934 constitution,
the 1913 Udampady would, in any event, no longer survive and Parish
Church would be governed in accordance with the 1934 Constitution.
176. Shri Anam, learned counsel, was right in submitting that F
educational institutions have to be run in accordance with the provisions
of the Kerala Education Act. Educational institutions cannot be governed
by the Udampady of 1913 as per sections 6 and 7 of the Ktirala Education
Act, 1959.
IN RE: EFFECT OF NON REGISTRATION OF 1934 G
CONSTITUTION AND EFFECT OF REGISTERED
UDAMPADY
177. The Udampadies were for administration of the Church at
the relevanttime and lost their efficacy due to efflux of time and cannot
hold the field in view of the system of administration provided in the H
200 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A 1934 Constitution. The 1934 Constitution was not required to be registered
document as the Udampadies are not documents of creation ofTrust/s,
the Udampadies were not required to be registered. Udampady cannot
prevail over the l 934 Constitution for various reasons discussed in the
judgment.
B 178. Reliance was placed upon section 17( I)(b) of the Registration
Act regarding effect of non-registration of the 1934 Constitution. In our
· opinion, the 1934 Constitution does not create, declare, assign, limit or
extinguish, whether in present or future, any right, title or interest, whether
vested or contingent, in the Malankara church properties. It provides a
system of administration as such and not required to be registered, and
c moreover the question ofeffect of non-registration ofthe 1934 Constitution
cannot be raised in view of the findings recorded in the 1959 and the
1995 judgments. The question could, and ought to have been raised but
was not raised at the time of authoritative pronouncement made by this
Court. Otherwise also, facts have not been pleaded nor any provision of
D the constitution pointed out that may attract the provisions of section
17(1)(b) of the Registration Act. Thus, it is not open to question the
validity of the 1934 Constitution on the ground that it cannot be looked
into for want of its registration. Reliance was placed upon Kashinath
Bhaskar Datar v. Bhaskar Vishweshwar l 952 SCR 491 in which it
has been laid down that when a document restricting or expanding the
E interest in an immovable property requires compulsory registration,
otherwise it cannot be admitted in evidence. Udampady itself is not a
document of creatfon of Trust. It related to the management only. Thus,
by its registration no legal superior right is acquired to prevail over the
Constitution. Reliance was placed upon decision of this Court in
F Chandrakant Shankarrao Machale v. Parubai Bhairu Mohite (2008)
6 sec 745 to contend that the terms of a registered document could be
varied or altered only by another registered document. The court.was
dealing with the mortgage deed dated 28.2.1983. When there is such a
deed of mortgage, its terms could not have been varied or altered by an
.unregistered document so as to change its·status from that of a mortgage
G to that of a lease. The decision has no application as the Udampady
pertained only to administration. No registered document was required
for administration of the Church. Document of creation of a Trust may
require registration and not a document like the 1934 Constitution.
Reliance was also placed upon S. Saktivel (Dead) by LRs. v. M
H Venugopa/ Pillai & Ors, (2000) 7 SCC I04 and ITC Ltd. v. State of
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 201 •
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

U.P. (2011) 7 SCC 493. The decision in S. Saktivel (supra) deals with A
the terms of the registered document whereas the decision in ITC Ltd.
(supra) is. also in a different context. S. Saktivel (supra) was a case
where property itself was registered by a registered settlement deed
dated 26.3.2015. It was held that it could not be modified or altered or
substituted in. 1941 by unregistered document. The decision has no B
application for the aforesaid reasons.
· 179. Shri Divan, learned senior counsel, relied on the decision in
Vinodkumar M. Malavia v. Magan/a/ Mangaldas Gameli & Ors.
(2013) 15 SCC 394, wherein this Court held that when the property of
churches vests in trusts regulated by the law relating to public trusts,
mere resolution passed by such trusts will not cause a transfer of the C
property of the trust and the law regulating transfer of property will
have to be followed and complied with. This Court in Vinodkumar (supra)
held that as far as the unification of churches for spiritual matters is
concerned, the same may be effected by resolutions passed by the church
trusts, however, for transfer of trust property, provisions regulating the .D
transfer of property under the general law will have to be followed. In
Vinodkumar (supra) there was unification of public religious society
viz., First District Church of Brethren registered under Societies
Registration Act and later registered as a public trust along with five
other churches, which was formed into a single entity viz. Church of
North India (CNI). CNI was founded under the Companies Act, 1956. E
The properties of First District Church of Brethren which vested in a
public religious trust governed by the Bombay Public Trusts Act, was
sought to be divested of the title to CNI merely on the basis ofunification
effected pursuant to deliberation and resolutions without following
provisions regarding dissolution of society, merger etc. laid down under F
the Societies Registratio·n Act and Bombay Public Trusts Act. The
unification of the churches/church properties had no legal foundation. It
was not justified on the ground of Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution
oflndia. In the aforesaid backdrop of the fact and the factual matrix,
this Court has laid down the aforesaid decision. It is not a case of
transfer of property. The property remains where it was and there is no G ·
effort to assign, limit, create, declare or extinguish, in present or in the
future, any right, title or interest whether vested or contingent in the
instant case. The Court dealt with the provisions of the Bombay Public
Trusts Act in the aforesaid case. There is no such Act in force ip the
H
202 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A instant matter that holds the field. Since we have held that there is no
transfer of property or vesting or other transaction took place for attracting
provision of section 17 of the Registration Act by virtue of the 1934
Constitution, it did not require registration. The property of church
continues with Malankara Church as it was. It contained a system of
management and there was a fight going on since long for management
8
of properties of Malankara Church. Malankara church is Episcopal in
nature as held by this Court in the 1995 judgment and there are complete
safeguards in the Constitution related to property. Reliance was placed
on Paras 16, 20, 24 and 30 of Vinodkumar (supra) extracted hereunder:
"16. The property of a society under Section 5 of the SR Act, if
c not vested in trustees, then only shall vest for the time being with
the governing body of such society. The properties of FDC 8 vested
in a public trust, being No. E-643/Bhanich. It was also recognised
by this Court in Church of North India v. Lavajihhai
Ratanjibhai wherein it was observed thus: (SCC p. 783, para 60)
D "60. We are not oblivious of the fact that the resolution adopted in
the meeting held on 17-2- J970 allegedly fulfilled all the requirements
for such resolution as provided in the Societies Registration Act
but it is now beyond any controversy that the society having not
owned any property, their transfer in favour of a new society was
E impermissible in law. In terms of Section 5 of the Societies
Registration Act, all properties would vest in the trustees and only
in case in the absence of vesting of such properties in the trustees
would the same be deemed to have been vested for the time
being in the governing body of such property. In this case, it is
clear that the properties have vested in the trustees and not in the
F governing body of the society."
20. Therefore, we are of the opinion that the claim of the appellants
that following unification ofFDCB with CN! after the purported
resolution resulted in the dissolution of FDCB making CNI its
legal successor and controller of its properties, does not hold good
G and cannot be accepted. The High Court has rightly observed
that:
" ... The trust which has been created as public trust for a specific
object and the charitable or the religious nature or for the bona
fide of the society or any such institution managed by such trusts
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN .203
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]
. .
for charitable and religious purpose shall continue to exist in A
perpetuity and it would not cease to exist by any such process of
thinking oi: deliberation or the resolution, which does not have any
force of law."
24. We. are of the opinion that the appellants' reliance on the
abovementioned two jud~ments is misplace~. Ii:t C'!mmr., Hindu B
Religious Endowment this Court while adjud1catmg upon the
validity ofSections2l ,J0(2), 31, 55, 56 and 63 to 69 of the Madras
Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act, 1951 against
Articles 19(1 )(f), 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India and
examiriirig the distinction between taX and fee; held that the sections
were ultra vires and Section 76( I) of the Madras Hindu Religious C
and Charitable EndowmentsAct, 1951 was void. It was also held
that a levy under this section does not attract Article 27 as it was
forthe maintenance ofthe religious trust despite being a tax. While
deciding on the above, this Court delved into many questions
regarding the scope of religion and recognised the reservations to D
the freedom of religion imder Article 25(2) and that the State is
empowered to legislate on the secular activities ancillary to practice
of religion and that the courts are empowered to decide whether
the same is an integral part of religious practice or a secular part.
· lnRatilalPanachand Gandhi,:the validity of Section 44 and levy
under Section 58 of the BPTA was questioned against Articles 25 E
and 26. As Pl:!r this Court, Section 44 was held to be
unconstitutional. However, the levy under Section 58 was termed
as a fee and was allowed. While deciding on the same, this Court
once again reiterated on the power of the Government to legislate
on regulating the secular aspects of religious practice as allowed F
underclause (2) ofArticle 25. In light of the same, the High Court
while disregarding the unification procedure, has rightly observed
that: '

" ... it will amount to accepting that such resolutions or deliberations
are above the law and the law that any such resolution passed G
anywhere will have more binding force then (sic)the law created
by the Sovereign Authority oflndia like the Bombay Public Trusts
Act as well as the provisions of the Constitution under Articles 25
and 26 of the Constitution oflndia. In fact, Article 26 which provides
for the freedom of the religious faith and Article 26 which provides
H
204 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A for the freedom of acquiring and administering the property or the
Trust in accordance with law, meaning thereby, the provisions of
the Bombay Public Trusts Act, which has been created, would
have no application again in the guise of such resolution. Even the
Transfer of Property Act will have no bearing and properties of
various trusts or the churches would get automatically transferred
B
or vested without any requirement oflaw being fulfilled, without
·any document, without any registration, stamp, etc. therefore, it
would be rather over simplification to accept the submission that
it was merely a resolution for a merger or unification of various
churches for better understanding and advancement of cause of
c religion and faith and the Court should not examine this aspect
even though there is a strong protest which has led to repeated
round oflitigations before the courts up to the Hon'bleApex Court.
The underlying object or the purpose even if it assumed that it is
only for better administration, still it cannot have any predominance
or the constitutional provision or the law ofland."
D
30. After analysing the facts and the law in the matter, we have
noticed that it is the duty of the society to take steps in accordance
with Section 13 of the SRAct for its dissolution. We have further
noted that unless the properties vested in the Trust are divested in
accordance with the provisions of the SR Act and in accordance
E
with the BPTA, merely by filing the change report(s), CNI cannot
claim a merger of churches and thereby claim that the properties
vested in the Trust would vest in them. In our opinion, it would
only be evident from the steps taken that the passing of resolutions
is nothing but an indication to show the intention to merge and
F nothing else. In fact, the City Civil Court has correctly held, in our
opinion, which has been affirmed by the High Court, that there
was no dissolution ofthe society and further merger was not carried
out in accordance with the provisions of law. In these
circumstances, we hold that the society and the Trust being
creatures of statute, have to resort to the modes provided by the
G statute for its amalgamation and the so-called merger cannot be
treated or can give effect to the dissolution of the Trust. In the
matrix of the facts, we hold that without taking any steps in
accordance with the provisions oflaw, the effect of the resolutions
or deliberations is not acceptable in the domain of law. The question
H
. '
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 205
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

of estoppel also cannot stand in the way as the High Court has A
correctly pointed out that the. freedom guaranteed under the
Constitution with regard to the faith and religion, cannot take away
the right in changing the faith and religion after giving afresh look . ·
and thinking at any time and thereby cannot be bound by any
rules of estoppel. Therefore, the resolution only resolved to accept
8
the recommendation of joint unification but does not refer to
dissolution."
The decision is whqlly inapplicable and does not espouse the cause
of the appellants.
MAINTAINABILITY OF MANNATHUR CHURCH SUIT : C
180. Jt was also submitted by Shri Mohan Parasaran, learned
senior counsel that the Mannathur Church matter suit was not
maintainable. It was not of a representative character and in view of
Order l Rule 8 CPC; fresh leave was not sought when the reliefs were
amended and enlarged. We are not satisfied with the submissions raised. D
The suit was clearly representative in character and has been contested
in that manner. It was not necessary to adopt the procedure a.s suggested .
after amendment as the amended relief was traceable from the main
relief. It was not at all necessary to obtain fresh leave:
H. FRAMING OF SCHEME UNDER SECTION 92 OF 1HE ,E · ·
CIVIL PROCEDURE CODE
181. we are also not impressed by the submission that the court
should direct framing of a scheme under section 92 CPC ilt view of the
decision of the Privy Council in Mohd. !smile Arif! v. Ahmed Moolla
Dawood 43 IA 127 (PC) in which it has been held that the court has the F
power to give direction and lay down rules that may facilitate the work
of management and the appointment of trustees in the future. The primary
duty of the Court is to consider the interest of the general body of the
public for whose benefit the trust is created. Reliance has been placed
by Shri S. Divan, learned senior counsel on Acharya Shri Shreepati
Prasadji Barot Laxmidas 33 CWN 352 (PC) that the institutional trust G
must be respected by the sect and the body of worshippers for whose
benefit it was set up to have the protection of the court against their
property being subject to abuse, speculation and waste. Reliance was ·
also placed on Ram Dularey v. Ram Lal AIR 1946 PC 34 in which it has
been laid down thus:
H
206 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A "Even if there were an inconsistency in that judgment, their
Lordships would be very slow to disturb the safeguards which
are provided in that scheme, iftheir Lordships found it necessary
to reconsider the scheme; but in their view the scheme has been
definitely approved by the Chief Court and they see no reason for
interfering with the judgment. It has to be remembered that in
B
these cases the Court has a duty, once it finds that it is a trust
for public purposes to consider what is best in the interests of
the public. That is made abundantly clear by thejudge met of
this Board, delivered by Mr. Ameer Ali, in Mahomed Ismail
Arif! and others v. Ahmed Moo/laDawood and another [43
c IA 127: 43 Cal. 1085: 4 LW 269 (P.C.).]" (Emphasis supplied)
182. In our opinion there is no necessity of framing any scheme
under section 92. There are adequate provisions and safeguards provided
in section 92 for managing the Malankara Church and its properties.
There is no dispute with the proposition laid down in the aforesaid decisions
D but we find no such necessity for framing such scheme under section 92
CPC in view of detailed wholesome provisions of 1934 Constitution.
I. WHETHER IN THE FACTS. INTERIM ARRANGEMENT
TO CONTINUE :
183. Lastly, it was submitted by Shri K. Parasaran, learned senior
E counsel, that as reconciliation does not appear to be possible between
both factions, as such the religious services in the St. Mary's Orthodox
Church, Varikoli may be permitted to be conducted by two Vicars of
each faith, Patriarch and Catholicos, in accordance with the faith of
each denomination. The submission cannot be accepted as it would
F tantamount to patronizing parallel system of administration and would
not be a legally permissible mode hence prayer is rejected.
184. Resultantly, based on the aforesaid findings in the judgment,
our main conclusions, inter alia, are as follows :
(i) Malankara Church is Episcopal in character to the extent it is
G so declared in the 1934 Constitution. The 1934 Constitution fully governs
the affairs of the Parish Churches and shall prevail.
(ii) The decree in the 1995 judgment is completely in tune with
the judgment. There is-no conflict between the judgment and the decree.
(iii) The 1995 judgment arising out of the representative suit is
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 207
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA. J.]

binding al)d operates as res judicata with respect to the matters it has A
decided, in the wake of provisions of Order 1 Rule 8 and Explanation 6
to section l l CPC. The same binds not only the parties named in the
suit but all those who have interest in the Malankara Church. Findings in
earlier representative suit. i.e., Samudayam suit are also binding on Parish
ChurchesfParishioners to the extent issues have been decided.
8
(iv) As the 1934 Constitution is valid and binding upon the Parish
Churches, it is not open.to any individual Church, to decide to have their
·new Constitution like that of2002 in the so-called exercise of right under
Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution oflndia. It is also not permissible
to create a parallel system of management in the churches under the C
guise of spiritual supremacy of the Patriarch.
(v) The Primate of Orthodox Syrian Church of the East is
Catholicos. He enjoys spiritual powers as well, as the Malankara
Metropolitan. Malankara Metropolitan has the prime jurisdiction regarding
temporal, ecclesiastical and spiritual administration ofMalankara Church
·subject to the riders provided in the 1934 Constitution. D
(vi) Full effect has to be given to the finding that the spiritual
power of the Patriarch has reached to a vanishing point. Consequently,
he cannot interfere in the governance of Parish Churches by appointing
Vicar, Priests, Deacons, Prelates (High Priests) etc. and thereby cannot
create a parallel system of administration. The appointment has to be E
made as per the power conferred under the 1934 Constitution on the
concerned Diocese, Metropolitan etc.
(vii) Though it is open to the individual member to leave a Church
in exercise of the right not to be a member of any Association and as per
Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Parish F
Assembly of the Church by majority or otherwise cannot decide to move
church out of the Malankara Church. Once a trust, is always a trust.
(viii) When the Church has been created and is for the benefit of
the beneficiaries, i.t is not open for the beneficiaries, even by a majority,
to usurp its property or management. The Malankara Church is in the G
form of a trust in which, its properties have vested. As per the 1934
Constitution, the Parishioners though may individually leave the Church,
they are not permitted to take the movable or immovable properties out
of the ambit of 1934 Constitution without the approval of the Church
hierarchy.
H
208 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A (ix) The spiritual power of Patriarch has been set up by the
appellants clearly in order to violate the mandate of the 1995 judgment
of this Court which is binding on the Patriarch, Catholicos and all
concerned.
(x) As per the historical background and the practices which
B have been noted, the Patriarch is not to exercise the power to appoint
Vicar, Priests, Deacons, Prelates etc. Such powers are reserved to other
authorities in the Church hierarchy. The Patriarch, thus, cannot be
permitted to exercise the power in violation of the 1934 Constitution to
create a parallel system of administration of Churches as done in 2002
and onwards.
c
(xi) This Court has held in 1995 that the unilateral exercise of
such power by the Patriarch was illegal. The said decision has also been
violated. It was only in the alternative this Court held in the 1995 judgment
that even if he has such power, he could not have exercised the same
unilaterally which we have explained in this judgment.
D
(xii) It is open to the Parishioners to believe in the spiritual
supremacy of Patriarch or apostolic succession but it cannot be used to
appoint Vicars, Priests, Deacons, Prelates etc. in contravention of tqe
1934 Constitution.

E (xiii) Malankara Church is Episcopal to the extent as provided in
the 1934 Constitution, and the right is possessed by the Diocese to settle
all internal matters and elect their own Bishops in terms of the said
Constitution.
(xiv) Appointment ofVicar is a secular matter. !here is no violation
F of any of the rights encompassed under Articles 25 and 26 of the
Constitution of India, if the appointment of Vicar, Priests, Deacons,
Prelates (High Priests) etc. is made as per the 1934 Constitution. The
Patriarch has no power to interfere in such matters under the guise of
spiritual supremacy unless the 1934 Constitution is amended in accordance
with law. The same is binding on all concerned.
G
(xv) Udampadis do not provide for appointment of Vicar, Priests,
Deacons, Prelates etc. Even otherwise once the 1934 Constitution has
been adopted, the appointment ofVicar, Priests, Deacons, Prelates (high
priests) etc. is to be as per the 1934 Constitution. It is not within the
domain of the spiritual right of the Patriarch to appoint Vicar, Priests etc.
H
K. S. VARGHESE & ORS. v. ST. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRIAN 209
ORTH. & ORS. [ARUN MISHRA, J.]

The spiritual power also vests in the other functionaries of Malankara A
Church.
(xvi) The functioning of the Church is based upon the division of
responsibilities at various levels and cannot be usurped by a single
individual howsoever high he may be. The division of powers under the
1934 Constitution is for the purpose of effective management of the B
Church and does not militate against the basic. character of the church
being Episcopal in nature as mandated thereby. The 1934 Constitution
cannot be construed to be opposed to the concept of spiritual supremacy
of the Patriarch ofAntioch. It cannot as well, be said to be an instrument
of injustice or vehicle of oppression on the Parishioners who believe in
the spiritual sµpremacy of the Patriarch. . C
0
(xvii) The Church and the Cemetry cannot be confiscated by
anybody. It has to remain with the Parishioners as per the customary
rights and nobody can .J>e deprived of the right to enjoy the same as a
Parishioner in the Church or to be buried honourably in the cemetery, in
case he continues to have faith in the Malankara Church. The property D
of the Malankara Church in which is also vested the property of the
Parish Churches, would remain in trust as it has for the time immemorial
for the sake of the beneficiaries and no one can claim to be owners
thereof even by majority and usurp the Church and the properties.
(xviii) The faith of Church is unnecessarily sought to be divided E
vis-a-vis the office of Catholicos and the Patriarch as the common faith
of the Church is in Jesus Christ. In fact an effort is being made to take
over the management and other powers by raising such disputes as to
supremacy of Patriarch or Catholicos to gain control of temporal matters
under the garb of spirituality. There is no good or genuine cause for F
disputes which have been raised. ,
(xix) The authority of Patriarch .had never extended to the
government of temporalities of the Churches. By questioning the action
of the Patriarch and his undue interference in the administration of
Churches in violation of the 1995 judgment, it cannot be said that the G
Catholicos faction is guilty of repudiating the spiritual supremacy of the
Patriarch. The Patriarch faction is to be blamed for the, situation Which
has been created post 1995 judgment. The property of the Church is to
be managed as per the 1934 Constitution. The judgment of 1995 has not
been respected by the Patriarch faction which was binding on all
210 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2017] 9 S.C.R.

A concerned. Filing of writ petitions in the High Court by the Catholicos
faction was to deter the Patriarch/his representatives to appoint the Vicar
etc. in violation of the l 995 judgment of this Court.
(xx) The l 934 Constitution is enforceable at present and the plea
of its frustration or breach is not available to the Patriarch faction. Once
·B there is Malankara Church, it has to remain as such including the property.
No group or denomination by majority or otherwise can take away the
management or the property as that would virtually tantamount to illegal
inte1ference in the management and illegal usurpation of its properties.
It is not open to the beneficiaries even by majority to change the nature
of the Church, its property and management. The only method to change
c management is to amend the Constitution of 1934 in accordance with
law. It is not open to the Parish Churches to even frame bye-laws in
violation of the provisions of the 1934 Constitution.
(xxi) The Udampadies of 1890 and 1913 are with respect to
administration of Churches and are not documents of the creation of the
D Trust and are not of utiiity at present and even otherwise cannot hold the
field containing provisions inconsistent with the 1934 Constitution, as per
section 132 thereof. The Udampady also cannot hold the field in view of
· the authoritative pronouncements made by this Court in the earlier
judgments as to the binding nature of the 1934 Constitution.
E . (xxii) The 1934 Constitution does not create, declare, assign, limit
or extinguish, whether in present or future any right, title or interest,
whether vested or contingent in the Malankara Church properties and
only provides a system of administration and as such is not required to
be registered. In any case, the Udampadis for the reasons already cited,
F cannot supersede the 1934 Constitution only because these are claimed
to be registered. ·
(xxiii) In otherwise Episcopal church. whatever autonomy is
provided in the Constitution for the Churches is for management and
necessary expenditure as provided in section 22 etc.
G (xx iv) The formation of 2002 Constitution is the result of illegal
and void exercise. It cannot be recognized and the parallel system created
thereunder for administration of Parish Churches of Malankara Church
cannot hold the field. It has to be administered under the 1934 Constitution.
(xxv) It was not necessary, after amendment of the plaint in
H Mannathur Church matter, to adopt the procedure once again of
K s. VAR9HESE & ORS. v. st. PETER'S & PAUL'S SYRiAN . 2n
ORTH. & OR.S. [ARUN MISHR.A, J.]

representative suit- under Order I lute 8 CPC. It remained A . 1l'
representative suit and proper procedure ~as been followed. It was rtot ·.
ileee5sary to obtain-fresh leave, · ··
~ . - . - .. -.
. (xxvi) The 1934 Constitiltion is. appropriate and <adequate. f0r ·
management o( the Parish Churches, as such there is no necessity of ·
framing a scheme under section 92 of the CPC. · · · ·.· . · B
·(xxvii) The plea that in face of the prCvailingdissensionbeiWeen ·. ·
the two fuctions and the remote possibility of reconciliation,·the religious'. · ·
services may be permitted to be conducted by two Vicai's of each faith ·. •
cannot t?e accepted as that would amount to patronizing parallel systems··. ·. · ·
of administration. · .. . .. C
(xxvii i) Both the factions, for the sake of d,le sacred religion they
profess and to preempt further bickering and unpleasantness pn:cipitating
avoidable ~stitutional degeneration, ought to resolve th~ir differenees if
any, on a coinmo~ platform if necessary by amending the Constitution
further in accordance with law, but by rio means, any attempt to ca:eate o
parallel systems ofadministration ofthe liame ChlU'ch~ reslllting in law
and order situations leading to even closure o(the Chllrehes can be
. accepted. ·
185. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we find no gro0n(Uo •
•
. make interference. The appeals are hereby dismissed. Parties to beat E
.their own costs.

· Devika Gujral · .. Appc:;ils dismiised.

•

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·• · , · '

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