After vetting the latest status report filed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the report filed by engineer-turned-advocate NK Mohanty, the Orissa High Court on Thursday ordered ASI to complete the repair work of Jagamohan (prayer hall) of the Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri by June 2 this year.
It may be mentioned that the ASI in September last year had told the court that the repair work it had undertaken in the temple was likely to be over by June 2017. However, following reports of discrepancies in reality and affidavits filed by the ASI, the court last month had asked the ASI to file a fresh progress report.
The court is currently adjudicating a PIl that has sought judicial interventions and monitoring of the repair work of the prayer hall of the 12th-century shrine. A native of Cuttack city had approached the court after it was alleged that the ASI was not serious about the renovation and maintenance of the temple.