Bagala Dharmasala Row: HC Issues Notice To 23 Opposite Parties

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court on Monday issued notice to 23 opposite parties and sought a reply in connection with the sale of land belonging to Bagala Dharmasala in Puri.

Among the 23 opposite parties, 17 are government officials including Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and Member, Board of Revenue. Besides, a Nijog of the Jagannath Temple and six individuals in favour of whom the district administration had allegedly executed the sale deeds of the land have also been issued the notice.

The court will have the next hearing in the case on November 26.

Protesting against the unauthorised sale of Bagala Dharmasala land, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra had filed a PIL in the High Court to quash the alienation of the properties of the Lord Jagannath and subsequent sale of lands to six persons.

The petitioner had contended that the transfer of the land deed of Bagala Dharmasala, which belongs to the Amrutamanohi status of Lord Jagannath, was done in gross violation of the provisions of the Temple Act, 1955.