The Orissa High Court directed the Odisha government to complete verification of the Puri Jagannath Temple’s Ratna Bhandar inventory against the 1978 report within three months.
The court emphasised transparency and accountability in handling the temple’s valuables.
The High Court ordered the State to tally the current inventory prepared by the newly constituted committee with the 1978 benchmark report. It stressed that no complacency should be shown and that the government must act with urgency.
The court also issued instructions regarding the inquiry into the missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar. It directed that the Justice Raghubir Dash Commission’s report be formally presented during the upcoming session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
The order highlighted that the 1978 inventory serves as the benchmark document to ensure that all jewellery and valuables listed then match with the present records. The court stated that the exercise must be completed within three months and a further report submitted thereafter.
This directive comes amid long-standing debates over the safety and transparency of the Ratna Bhandar, the treasure chamber of Lord Jagannath Temple. The High Court’s intervention is expected to bring clarity and restore public confidence in the management of temple assets.
