‘PROTECT HERITAGE OF LORD JAGANNATH’: PLEA BEFORE SUPREME COURT ALLEGES ILLEGAL EXCAVATION BY STATE OF ODISHA AT SHREE JAGANNATH TEMPLE

A petition has been filled before the Supreme Court to Protect the Heritage of Lord Jagannath. The petition alleged illegal excavation and construction work by the Odisha Government at Shree Jagannath temple excavators more than 30 Feet depth from the ground level, which is an integral part of the Temple exactly adjacent to the

The petitioner in the plea stated the State Government is trying to make some construction by excavating through heavy western side of Meghanad Pacheri. Furthermore, it is alleged before the Court that cracks have been found in the temple and in the walls of the temple.

It has been argued before the Court that Section 20A of AMASR Act is clear about the fact that there cannot be any construction within the 100-meter distance of the prohibited area.

The petitioner in the plea submitted that through Gazette Notification 3rd Feb 1975 and under Section 19(1) of the AMASR Act, the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri, has been declared a monument of AMASR Act, 1958 and within the protected area no person including the owner occupier can construct any building.

The petitioner in the plea stated that the Government of Odisha is doing unauthorised construction work which is posing serious threat to the structure of the ancient temple of Mahaprabhu Shree Jagannath.

The petition has been filed to protect the heritage of Lord Shree Jagannath and in the interest of the general public challenging the illegal action of the Government of Odisha in not following the procedure laid down in relation to Shree Jagannath temple in the 1958 Act and the Ancient Monument & Archaeological Sites and Remains (amendment and validation) Act 2010, According to the Petitioner.

A Special Leave petition has been filled before the Supreme Court challenging Odisha High Court’s order of refusing to restrain the State from carrying out any excavation in and around Lord Jagannath Temple, Puri.

Advocate Gautam Das, has filled the present special leave petition and has argued that the State agencies have been working in gross violation of Section 20A of The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.

The Bench comprising of Justice BR Gavai and Justice Hima Kohli observed and allowed the urgent listing of the case.