Supreme Court Quashes 2 Petitions Challenging Eviction Drive in Puri

New Delhi: In a significant development, the Apex Court today  quashed two interlocutory application (IA) filed by Arvindalochanan and disposed off a petition filed by Inter-Continental Association of Lawyers challenging removal of structures up to 75 metre from Meghanad Pacheri of the 12th century shrine.

The apex court order likely to boost the eviction drive in the pilgrimage city.

The apex court’s order  comes after Advocate General of Odisha stated before the court that eviction drive was carried out based on recommendations of BP Das Commission.

Meanwhile, the  three-judge bench of Justices Arun Mishra, MR Shah and BR Gavai   has also directed amicus curiae Ranjit Kumar and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to visit the Jagannath Temple in Puri and take stock of situation following the eviction drive conducted by temple administration and State Government around the structure.

The bench has further asked both the Amicus curiae and Solicitor General to file a report in the apex court regarding new development plans within and outside the Jagannath Temple. Earlier, the Amicus Curiae had submitted a comprehensive report suggesting various reforms in Srimandir based on suggestions of the district judge.

The bench will again hear the matter, September 17.

It may be noted that as part of 5 T policy the Odisha government had given an order August 16 for demolition of unauthorised constructions around the Jagannath temple. The drive is being carried out for widening of the roads around the temple which in turn will provide hassle free ‘darshan’ of the Lord by the devotees.

Recently, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced a Rs 500 cr package to transform the Puri city in to a world class heritage city.