TV
An FIR has been lodged at the Singhadwara Police Station against seven sevayats (temple servitors) of Srimandir for allegedly carrying mobile phones onto the chariot during the Rath Yatra in Puri, defying the official ban.
The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) confirmed the development on Tuesday.
According to the temple authorities, a formal complaint letter was sent to the police by the SJTA, highlighting the violation. The use of mobile phones on the sacred chariot not only breaches its sanctity but also poses a serious risk to public safety, the complaint stated.
Despite clear restrictions in place, the servitors in question reportedly carried their phones onto the chariot, prompting administrative action. Subsequently, an FIR was registered against the seven individuals involved.
The temple administration reiterated that maintaining the sanctity of the Rath Yatra is of utmost importance, and any actions compromising this will be dealt with strictly.
Must Read: Puri Rath Yatra 2025: Non-servitors climbing chariots to be arrested, mobile phones banned
Earlier during the coordination meeting in preparation for the world-famous Rath Yatra festival in Puri, SJTA Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee had firmly stated that no servitor will be allowed to use mobile phones during the chariot pulling and no non-servitors will be permitted to climb atop the chariots during the pulling.
In a bid to curb unruly incidents and provide optimum security for the Ratha Yatra 2025, the Odisha government announced a series of strict regulatory measures, including the arrest of non-servitors found climbing the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, or Devi Subhadra.
