Puri: Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has ordered a probe into the alleged touching of Devi Subhadra’s idol during the Niladri Bije ritual here in Puri on Thursday.
Official sources said, a police official has been accused of touching the deity during the pahandi ceremony in the evening. The officer in dock has been identified as Amulya Dhar, former Inspector-in-charge of Marine Police Station.
SJTA chief administrator Pradip Jena informed that IG (Central Range) has been entrusted to conduct a detailed investigation into the allegations.
It can be recalled that similar controversy had also cropped up after Badagrahi of Devi Subhadra, Ramchandra Dasmohapatra brought allegations that devotees allegedly touched the deities during the Kirtan Chakada of Lord Balabhadra during Rath Yatra on June 25.
Earlier, the SJTA had banned touching deities by devotees during pahandi or atop chariots during Rath Yatra this year via a notice issued on June 23.
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