Amidst the ongoing controversy surrounding the Puri Srimandir Parikrama project, Jagannath Sena on Thursday demanded Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case.
The outfit members have levelled allegations against Puri Collector, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), TATA and OBCC.
The Jagannath Sena has alleged before the CBI that project works were being carried out by showing ‘fake No Objection Certificate (NOC) of NMA. The Jagannath Sena has threatened to move High Court on the basis of the information revealed in the RTI if the CBI doesn’t file a case in this connection.
“From Puri Collector to MP Pinaki Mishra and from chief secretary to ASI, the Odisha government is indulging in illegal activities and is telling lies after lies to cover up the wrong doings. We want to ask these lies are in whose interest,” said Priyadarshan Patnaik, convenor of the Puri-based outfit.
Patnaik further said that they had sought an RTI query and on May 11 it was revealed to us that no NOC has been issued. “We want a detailed investigation and want CBI to register a case in this connection. If the investigation doesn’t register a case, we will move High Court and Supreme Court if needed,” he added.
Earlier, the Jagannath Sena had filed a complaint against the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Superintendent at Lingaraj police station in Bhubaneswar accusing the latter of neglecting his duty and taking no action against the 'Illegal' constructions around Puri Srimandir.
"The ASI superintendent has failed to perform his duties under Section 30 (c) of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act (or AMASR Act) and Section 166 of the IPC. Why the ASI did not take any action when the illegal construction started," Puri-based outfit had then alleged.