Cuttack: In a development regarding vandalisation of chulhas at Puri Jagannath Temple, the Orissa High Court has directed the State government to submit a case diary.
Reportedly, the bail application of the accused Jagan Mohapatra has been heard by a bench comprising Justice Sashikanta Mishra following which the order has been passed.
The next hearing has been scheduled to be held on July 7.
Notably, more than 60 Pithapuri, Kothabhoga, Satapuri and Thadapuri earthen ovens (chulhas) inside the Jagannath Temple’s kitchen (Rosaghara), were vandalised on April 2. The accused J Mohapatra (30), a resident of Khordha, confessed his crime. “He felt uneasy about something following which he vandalised the chulhas,” said Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh.
Singhadwar police filed a case and arrested Jagan and took him to court on April 6. Thereafter, Jagan’s bail application had been rejected on May 6 in the Puri District and Doura Judge’s Court.
Adding to it, at least 135 new CCTVs will be installed on Srimandir premises in view of strengthening the current security system.
In a meeting, the District Collector has informed that the inoperative CCTVs will be soon repaired to restore the surveillance inside the temple premises. He added that elaborate arrangements would be made to facilitate the common darshan in the Jagannath temple. The meeting was held at the SJTA office involving Puri SP, SJTA administrators of safety, NITI and development, and members of the Jagannath Temple Management Committee.
Regular security check-ups have been going on by the SJTA authority which will be reviewed in weekly meetings.
Ms Kalinga