Soon after the order, district authorities moved in late Friday night to reclaim possession. Several shopkeepers operating on the disputed land were seen clearing out their goods as teams arrived with machinery to begin the eviction process.

The legal conflict dates back to 1997, when petitioners allegedly secured a civil court decree by concealing key documents. In 2007, the Additional District Judge of Agar declared the decree void, citing forged papers and a suspicious will. The High Court agreed with those conclusions, noting that the original suit failed to include the temple deity or its management as necessary parties despite the matter involving religious property.

During the final hearing, Additional Advocate General Anand Soni produced extensive revenue records, Waqf Committee documents, papers relating to the traditional guru–chela succession of the temple, and earlier judgments. The court accepted that the evidence clearly established the land as temple or Dharamshala property. Records also showed that since 2006–07, the land had been formally registered under the Shri Ram Mandir Administrator, represented by the district Collector.

Collector Preeti Yadav said the land is being handed back to the designated temple custodian in compliance with the order. She warned that any fresh attempts at encroachment or fraudulent claims would face strict action.

The ruling is seen as a significant affirmation of protections for religious properties and brings closure to a dispute that had lingered unresolved for more than 20 years.