Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday ordered a judicial inquiry into missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri.
A retired judge of the Orissa High Court would conduct the probe and submit report within three months, an official release said. The panel would probe how, when and under what circumstances the keys went missing.
“Truth will come out once the judicial inquiry is over. Further course of action will be decided thereafter,” said law Minister Pratap Jena.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s announcement triggered reactions from Opposition parties.
“Announcement for the judicial probe is Naveen Patnaik’s tactics to divert public attention. During last 18 years, many probe commissions have been constituted with no result,” alleged PCC chief Niranjan Patnaik.
The BJP also decried the announcement. “The CM is trying to divert the attention of the people. The order for the inquiry is eyewash only. Why he had been silent since April 4,” wanted to know BJP State vice-president Sameer Mohanty. He further said the missing of the Ratna Bhandar keys is a criminal case. “Those who have stolen from the treasure trove of lord Jagnnath should be lodged in jail,” he said.
It may be noted that missing of the keys came to the fore as inner treasure of the Ratna Bhandar could not be opened during the inspection of the treasure house by the team of experts on April 4 on advice of the High Court. The Ratna Bhandar was last opened in 1973.