Thane's St. John the Baptist Church Finds Solace as High Court Paves Way for Peace and Progress

After more than two decades mired in bitter disputes over its management, property, and finances, the revered St. John the Baptist Church in Thane has finally received a beacon of hope. The Bombay High Court has delivered a landmark ruling, aiming to bring an end to the protracted conflicts and usher in an era of stability and transparent administration for the cherished institution.

A division bench of Justices Girish Kulkarni and F P Pooniwalla has granted a crucial green light for the church's property to be leased out for commercial purposes.

This strategic move is intended to generate much-needed revenue, essential for the extensive repairs, maintenance, and upkeep of the church, its associated school, and other community facilities.

In a significant step towards resolving the administrative deadlock, the High Court has directed the formation of a new, ad-hoc board of trustees.

This committee is tasked with overseeing the church's affairs for a period of three years, effectively taking charge of all management and financial decisions.

The newly constituted committee boasts a distinguished lineup, including two High Court-appointed retired judges, Justice V M Kanade and Justice U D Salvi, who will bring their invaluable experience and impartiality to the table.

They will be joined by the vicar of the church and two church members, ensuring a balanced representation. This ad-hoc body's primary mandate will be to meticulously manage the property and financial matters, and crucially, to conduct fair and transparent elections for a permanent board of trustees within the three-year timeframe.

The origins of these deep-seated disputes trace back to 2002, when disagreements first erupted concerning the management and financial practices of the St.

John the Baptist Church. Over the years, these conflicts escalated, engulfing the institution in a legal quagmire that hindered its ability to serve its community effectively.

Various attempts were made to resolve the issues, including the appointment of an arbitrator and a court-appointed receiver.

However, these efforts proved to be temporary solutions, failing to address the root causes of the discord comprehensively. The High Court's latest ruling aims to provide a more definitive and lasting resolution.

The church's property, which includes a school, residential structures, and significant open land, had become a point of contention, with arguments surrounding its proper utilization and the generation of funds for its maintenance.

The need for substantial funds for repairs and renovation had become increasingly urgent over the years, affecting the institution's infrastructure and community programs.

Furthermore, the court also clarified the status of the church's extensive property, confirming it to be leasehold land from the collector, dispelling previous contentions regarding its freehold status.

With all previous petitions related to these long-standing disputes now disposed of, the path is clear for the ad-hoc committee to commence its vital work.

This landmark decision by the Bombay High Court offers a profound sense of relief to the parishioners and all stakeholders involved. It marks a pivotal moment, promising to usher in an era of stability, transparency, and renewed focus on the spiritual and community welfare aspects of St.

John the Baptist Church in Thane.