In a pivotal move to protect the sacred assets of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to draft comprehensive guidelines for the sale, lease, transfer, and mutation of the temple’s properties.
The directive was issued by a division bench headed by Justice Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi during the hearing of a case concerning disputes over temple assets.
The Court emphasized that protecting the sanctity, ownership, and legal integrity of temple property is critical. It ordered the immediate digitization of all land records and legal documents relating to the temple’s assets to improve transparency and accountability.
The High Court made it clear that detailed and well-structured guidelines must be established for mutation and transfer procedures to prevent unauthorized and illegal transactions. Coordination between the Revenue and Land Records departments is crucial, the bench said, to ensure accurate records are maintained under the Shree Jagannath Temple Act and relevant laws.
Any mutation or property transfer that violates legal norms should be immediately nullified, the Court ordered.
The bench also called for a review of Section 16(2) of the governing legislation to eliminate loopholes and misinterpretations that currently hinder effective oversight.
To prevent future encroachments or mismanagement, the Court recommended strengthening administrative procedures and enforcing strict safeguards. It further asked the state to rectify existing violations and take immediate corrective action.
The Court concluded by stressing that the ownership rights of Lord Jagannath must remain inviolable, urging the Odisha government to act with urgency and respect for the temple’s immense cultural and spiritual value.
