NY High Court Rejects Attempt To Require Election At Hindu Temple

New York's high court yesterday rejected claims by dissident members of a Hindu Temple who wanted the court to remove the organization's old trustees, appoint a receiver and order new elections. In Matter of Venigalla v Nori, (NY Ct. App., July 1, 2008), the court held that Art. 9 of the Religious Corporation Law under which the Temple chose to incorporate provides for a self-perpetuating board of trustees. Provisions in organization's 1970 bylaws that called for election of trustees by the "General Body" were invalid because they were in conflict with the Religious Corporation Law. Moreover, the court said, the 1970 bylaws "have long been defunct". [Thanks to J.J. Landa for the lead.]