State Act

THE TAMIL NADU HINDU RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS ACT, 1959

54. Filling up of vacancies in the offices of hereditary trustee.—(1) When a permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the hereditary trustee of a religious institution, the next in the line of succession shall be entitled to succeed to the office. (2) When a temporary vacancy occurs in such an office by reason of suspension of the hereditary trustee under sub-section (2) of section 53, the next in the line of succession shall be entitled to succeed and perform the functions of the trustee until his disability ceases. (3) When a permanent or temporary vacancy occurs in such an office and there is a dispute respecting the right of succession to the office, or when such vacancy cannot be filled up immediately, or when a hereditary trustee is a minor and has no guardian fit and willing to act as such or there is a dispute respecting the person who is entitled to act as guardian ; or when a hereditary trustee is by reason of unsoundness of mind or other mental or physical defect or infirmity unfit for performing the functions of the trustee, 1[the Joint Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner, as the case may be,] may appoint a fit person to perform the functions of the trustee of the institution until the disability of the hereditary trustee ceases or another hereditary trustee succeeds to the office or for such shorter term as 1[the Joint Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner as the case may be], may direct. Explanation.—In making any appointment under this sub-section, 1[the Joint Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner as the case may be], shall have due regard to the claims of the members of the family, if any, entitled to the succession. (4) Any person aggrieved by an order of 1[the Joint Commissioner or the Deputy Commissioner, as the case may be], under sub-section (3) may, within one month from the date of receipt of the order by him, appeal against the order to the Commissioner. (5) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to affect anything contained in the 2[Tamil Nadu] Court of Wards Act, 1902 (2[Tamil Nadu] Act I of 1902).