The Orissa High Court on Tuesday refused to interfere in the technical aspects of the repair work of the Jagamohan of the Jagannath Temple at Puri currently undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The court, however, will continue to monitor the legal aspect of it to ensure that the repair works are completed as per the schedule.
The ASI had earlier informed the High Court that the fixing of steel pillars of the Jagamohan, the prayer hall facing the sanctum sanctorum, would be over by November this year, the fixing of box frames by April next and the entire renovation work would be over by June, much before the next year’s Rath Yatra.
Detailing the progress in work, the ASI on the day submitted yet another status report to the court, following which a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Vinnet Saran directed the ASI counsel to submit another status report in the first week of next month. The HC’s directions came during the hearing of a PIl.
The PIl has sought judicial intervention and monitoring of the repair work of the Jagamohan. The ruling BJD in Odisha and the ruling BJP at the Centre were engaged in war of words after it was alleged that the ASI was not serious in maintenance of the temple.