The Orissa High Court has put on hold the demolition of the controversial ‘Shree Baikuntha Dham Ashram’ at Ghatikia in Bhubaneswar.
In an interim order, Justice BP Routray of the High Court stated that the proposed demolition of the Ashram should not proceed, as no eviction notice has been issued. The court directed the authorities of BDA not to take any action against the ashram until December 12, the date of the next hearing.
The High Court’s order came in response to a petition filed by Baikuntha Dham Sebashram Trust. In its plea, the petitioner informed the court that the civic authorities had not served any legal notice about the ashram demolition drive before making such an announcement. Besides, the petitioner informed the court that the outfit also applied for settlement of the government land in its name.
Earlier today, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) declared that the Ashram is scheduled for demolition on Friday. Officials from the General Administration Department and the Bhubaneswar tehsil office, accompanied by the BDA’s enforcement squad, conducted an assessment of the ashram on Monday in response to accusations of land encroachment by its proprietors.
The ashram has faced criticism after a photo of a minor boy, alongside his father Kashinath Mishra, a spiritual commentator, depicting him as the Kalki Avatar (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu), went viral. Additionally, multiple photos showing the child being worshipped at the ashram, adorned with a flower garland and sacred Tulsi at his feet, have spread widely on social media.
