TV
In a significant development concerning the protection and management of Puri Jagannath Temple's properties, the Orissa High Court has issued a directive to the Odisha government, emphasizing the need to formulate clear and comprehensive guidelines governing the sale, lease, transfer, and mutation of properties belonging to the temple.
The directive was passed by a division bench led by Justice Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi while hearing a case related to disputes involving the assets of the revered temple.
The High Court stressed the importance of preserving the sanctity and legal ownership of temple property and urged the state government to initiate concrete and effective steps to regulate the associated processes.
One of the key components of the High Court's order includes the immediate digitization of temple land records and legal documents, which would serve as the foundation for transparency and accountability.
The Orissa High Court particularly directed that guidelines be prepared for the mutation and transfer of temple assets, with a view to protecting the assets of Lord Jagannath and preventing unauthorized transactions.
Highlighting the need for coordination between the Revenue and Land Records departments, the High Court instructed that accurate records of properties owned in the name of Shree Jagannath must be maintained. The Court further directed that these records must clearly reflect the legal status of the properties in accordance with the existing Shree Jagannath Temple Act and other relevant statutes.
The High Court emphasized that any mutation or change in land records that is found to be in violation of these directives, or inconsistent with the legal framework must be nullified immediately.
In this context, the High Court called for a review of Section 16(2) of the applicable legal provisions, which governs property transfer and mutation rights, to eliminate existing loopholes and misinterpretations.
Additionally, the bench underscored the need to update and strengthen current administrative practices to prevent any unauthorized transfer or mutation of temple property. It stated that by enforcing strict procedural safeguards, the possibility of irregularities and illegal encroachments could be effectively minimized.
The High Court noted that protecting the ownership rights of Lord Jagannath and ensuring that no deviation from the prescribed legal and religious norms occurs must be a top priority for the administration. It urged the state government to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness, considering the cultural and spiritual significance of the temple.
The High Court also instructed that any existing violations must be examined and corrected to prevent further misuse of temple resources. By proposing a more robust legal and administrative mechanism, the Court hopes to safeguard the temple's assets for future generations and uphold the faith of millions of devotees across the country.
