New Delhi: The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a petition seeking that the management of Srimandir affairs be taken up by the Union government and constitution of a special investigation team to look after the Ratna Bhandar.
A two-bench of the Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice Sanjiv Khanna refrained from interfering in the matter and dismissed the petition.
“We are not going to interfere in the matter. Hence, the petition is dismissed,” the bench observed.
The petition was filed by Inter-Continental Association of Lawyers pleading that the court should direct the Union government to handle the affairs of Jagannath temple as the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) is unable to do so. The petition also mentioned that the recent violence in Puri violence proves the failure of SJTA in managing the affairs of the temple.
The counsel appearing for the temple and chief administrator, Swetaketu Mishra strongly opposed the petition and submitted that the petitioner is making personal allegations.
The petitioner pleaded for the constitution of SIT to look after Ratna Bhandar.
Further, the petitioner sought information regarding the collection of funds by the SJTA since 1952. It also urged the apex court to issue an order for restoration of the Jagannath temple land given to various private companies.