India, March 21 -- Acting on a petition filed by a priest's son, the Bombay High Court recently declared that the Ekveera Devasthan, a shrine located in Karla caves in Pune, and its trustees had to ensure that priests receive their rightful share of offerings and donations, as laid down in a scheme approved by the charity commissioner.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Bhagawant Raghuji Deshmukh, son of a priest, Gurav, who challenged an earlier decision of the assistant charity commissioner in Pune. The official had refused to hear his plea, saying that Deshmukh should approach a civil court to enforce his rights.

Deshmukh argued that, after his father's death, he was entitled to one-eighth of the offerings and donations given ...