The Orissa High Court on Friday issued notices to the State Government, particularly asking the State Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and the Puri district Collector to "show cause" as to why the order imposing ban on cremation of bodies at the Puri Swargadwar for persons residing outside Puri district, shall not be quashed.
Adjudicating a PIL filed by one Sanjeeb Kumar Chinara of Cuttack, a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq issued the notices asking the respondents to file their affidavits before the next date of hearing fixed for August 12.
The petitioner has pointed out that the decision of the Puri Collector violates Article 15 of Constitution which states that the State shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of his place of birth. "Hindus from different walks of life have a pious desire that after their death, their bodies must be cremated at Puri Swargadwar," the petition has maintained.