Refusing to interfere in the disciplinary proceedings initiated by the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) against the erring
servitors of the temple, the Odisha High Court on
Friday dismissed the petitions of two Daita servitors, who had challenged their suspension orders.
Justice Dr AK Rath, holding analogous hearing on two separate petitions filed by Kasinath Dasmohapatra and his son Jaykrushna, dismissed the pleas of the father-son duo, who were suspended by the SJTA by orders passed on June 24.
The suspended servitors stated in Puri that they would move the Supreme Court against the HC verdict.
Pending initiation of disciplinary proceedings, both the servitors were put under suspension by SJTA Chief Administrator Suresh Mohapatra after holding them responsible for the delay and disturbances in the Brahma transfer of the deities on June 15-16.
The suspended Daitas had contested the SJTA’s act, saying the services they are providing in the
temple are hereditary and the SJTA cannot stop them from doing so.