Lord Balabhadra Pahandi mishap: Probe committee submits report to SJTA chief

The three-member probe committee has submitted its investigation report into Lord Balabhadra’s Pahandi mishap on ‘Charamala’, while being taken off His Taladhwaja chariot to the ‘Adapa Mandap’ of Gundicha temple in ‘goti pahandi’ during the last Rath Yatra in Puri, to Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator.

SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee informed about the development on Wednesday.

According to Padhee, the matter will be discussed in the upcoming Temple Managing Committee meeting following which the next decision will be taken.

“I have received the report of the probe panel and the report will be discussed at the next meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee following which a final decision will be taken,” wrote Padhee on social media account X (earlier known as Twitter).

On the other hand, servitors of Pratihari Nijog have raised questions on the investigation report submitted by the three-member probe committee to the SJTA Chief Administrator.

Senior servitor Madhaba Mohapatra expressed dissatisfaction by alleging that the probe committee has not discussed the matter with Pratihari Nijog. 

“The probe committee has not discussed anything about the matter with the Pratihari Nijog. Conspiracy is being hatched to shield some particular groups of servitors. The administration should refrain from it, otherwise, indiscipline will continue further,” said Mohapatra.

The three-member committee comprising an Additional District Magistrate, an administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and a Deputy Superintendent of Police carried out the investigation. 

Badagrahi of Lord Balabhadra, Khuntia servitors, Pratihari servitors, JTP, SJTA Chief Administrator and senior Daitapati servitors were questioned as part of the investigation process.

After the unfortunate incident during the last Rath Yatra in Puri, there was widespread outrage among the devotees across the globe against the servitors for their alleged negligence that led to the mishap. Subsequently, the probe committee was formed to submit its inquiry report.