HC directs production of original trust deed in Himalayan Brahmo Samaj case, lists matter for July 28
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Shimla, July 15
Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed that the original Trust Deed of the Himalayan Brahmo Samaj Mandir Trust, Shimla, be produced before it on the next date of hearing in connection with criminal writ petitions arising out of the ongoing dispute over the historic trust and its properties.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi passed the order while hearing Criminal Writ Petition Nos. 23 and 24 of 2024 on July 14. The matter has been listed for further hearing on July 28, 2026.
According to the status report filed by Police Station West, Shimla, investigations into FIR Nos. 212 and 215 of 2024 are still pending. The investigating agency informed the court that only a certified copy of the original Trust Deed had been produced by Lalit Verma, while the original document had not been made available for verification.
The Bench also referred to its earlier order dated March 24, 2026, in which it had recorded that despite a notice issued under Section 94 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the original Trust Deed had not been produced.
At that stage, the court had observed that a petitioner seeking directions from the court could not refuse to cooperate with the investigation or withhold documents sought by the investigating agency.
During Tuesday’s hearing, counsel for the petitioners submitted that the original Trust Deed would be produced before the High Court on the next date.
Recording this statement, the Bench directed that the original deed be placed before the court on July 28.
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The case relates to criminal writ petitions filed by Lalit Verma and Swami Tanmayahminda, while the Himalayan Brahmo Samaj Mandir Trust has been impleaded as respondent No. 14.
The dispute has led to multiple FIRs, police investigations and parallel civil proceedings concerning the administration and control of the historic trust.
In a statement issued after the hearing, the Himalayan Brahmo Samaj Mandir Trust said it has consistently supported a fair and transparent investigation and expressed confidence that production of the original Trust Deed would assist the court and investigating agency in establishing the facts.
The Trust also urged all parties to comply fully with the court’s directions and cooperate with the investigation.
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