Orissa HC notice to 23 parties over Puri Bagala Dharmasala land row

Cuttack: The legal battle over the sale of land belonging to Bagala Dharamasala in Puri went a step further as the Orissa High Court on Monday issued notices to 23 parties seeking a reply in this connection.

The court has sought replies from all the parties including Sri Jagannath Temple Administration, members of Board of Revenue.

The respondents also include a Nijog and five individuals in favour of whom the Puri Collector had allegedly executed the sale deeds of the land.

Earlier, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra had filed a PIL in the High Court, seeking quashing of alienation of the properties of Lord Jagannath and subsequent sale of lands to six persons.

It was alleged that the land in question belongs to the Amrutamanohi status of Lord Jagannath and the transfer of the land deed violated the provisions of the Temple Act, 1955.

The SJTA had earlier informed the High Court that an alternative plot had been allotted to India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) for construction of Bishram Sthali (Guest House). It is being alleged that the Bagala Dharamasala land would be used for rehabilitation and resettlement of lodge/ hotel owners and individuals who are likely to be affected by the government's Shri Jagannath Heritage Corridor initiative being developed around the 12th century shrine.