BHUBANESWAR:A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to protect the sanctity and ethos of Lord Jagannath Temple at Puri and ensure hassle-free access to its millions of devotees. Petitioner Mrinalini Padhi of Cuttack has appealed that the investigation or enquiry into the disappearance of keys of the Ratna Bhandar of the temple be monitored by the apex court.
She has also prayed the court to give directions for an inventory of the valuables stored in Ratna Bhandar during the inquiry. “There is an outcry throughout the country over the missing keys of Ratna Bhandar, where the valuables of the temple are kept. This is a matter of serious concern as to how the keys, custody of which is regulated as per statutory provisions can be lost particularly when the same was to remain with the State Treasury,” the petitioner pointed out. Appointment of an expert committee to make a report to the court suggesting necessary reforms to be carried out for regulation and upkeep of the temple and preservation and management of its valuables has also been sought. The Centre, State Government, Sri Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, Chief Administrator of Sri Jagannath Temple Administration and Puri collector have been made parties in the petition.