MRINALINI PADHI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petition has been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India to direct an investigation/enquiry into the disappearance of the keys to the Ratna Bhandar of the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri. It has also been prayed that an inventory of the valuables stored at the Ratna Bhandar of Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri be taken and to direct appointment of an expert committee to submit a report to this Court for preservation and management of property and valuables of Shri Jagannath Temple. Prayer has also been made to provide express darshan to all the devotees visiting Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri. Reliance has been placed on the decision of this Court in Sarika v. Administrator, Shri Mahakaleshwar Mandir Committee, Ujjain, M.P. & ors., 2018 6 Scale 651 (Civil Appeal No.4676 of 2018).

(2.) While entertaining the petition, this Court has passed an order on 8.6.2018, directing District Judge, Puri a submit a report. Later on, vide order dated 5.7.2018, in addition to order dated 8.6.2018, some more directions were issued and were summed up as follows:

(3.) This Court vide order dated 9.1.2019, has appointed Shri Ranjit Kumar, learned Senior Counsel as Amicus Curiae and Ms. Priya Hingorani, learned Senior Counsel was requested to assist him in the matter. Learned Amicus Curiae has submitted interim reports pursuant to the orders which have been passed by this Court from time to time. During the pendency of the writ petition, the State Government has decided to make certain land acquisitions so as to provide various facilities to the pilgrims such as building of watch tower, an evacuation plan, widening of roads, etc. A Cabinet of the State Government of Orissa has taken a decision, which has been gazetted on 27.8.2019. Thereafter, as the instructions had been issued by the State Government, there was some unrest for the time being which has been settled. We had requested the Amicus Curiae to make a site visit and submit a report. They have submitted their report.