Adapa Pahandi Mishap: Police Complaint Filed In Bhubaneswar Against Chief Administrator Of SJTA

Bhubaneswar: A complaint has been filed at Capital police station in Bhubaneswar against chief administrator of SJTA of Jagannath temple in Puri on the mishap during Adapa Mandap Bije ritual of Lord Balabhadra.

According to sources, five lawyers have lodged the complaint against the chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA). Alleging that negligence on the part of SJTA led to the mishap, they demanded stern action against the chief administrator Vir Vikram Yadav.

It may be noted that Lord Balabhadra’s idol slipped and fell on ‘charamala’ (makeshift ladder) while being taken by the servitors to the Adapa Mandap inside Gundicha Temple in ‘Pahandi’ procession on July 9 night. Several servitors were injured in the mishap.

Following the mishap, the SJTA formed a three-member committee, comprising ADM, Administrator (Development), and an officer of DSP rank, to investigate the incident. The committee will examine the footage of the incident to see if the designated persons were present at the spot and identify those responsible for it. They have been asked to submit the report within 10 days of Niladri Bije, Yadav had said.

Earlier in the day, BJD president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) Naveen Patnaik expressed his concern over the mishap and urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to take concrete steps to prevent its recurrence.

Describing Lord Jagannath as the symbol of Odia ‘Asmita’ (pride), Naveen said the Lord is the identity and pride of the people of Odisha. Lakhs of devotees from across the world throng the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the famous Rath Yatra of the Lords, he said.

“The mishap that took place during the Adapa Mandap Bije ritual has pained the devotees. I am also deeply saddened over the incident,” Naveen said in his letter to the chief minister.