Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has initiated steps to appoint a lawyer to fight on its behalf in Supreme Court on heritage corridor around Jagannath temple in Puri.
According to sources, the government was contemplating to approach the apex court considering the affidavit filed by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on the matter in the Orissa High Court. The ASI in its affidavit stated that the work on the heritage corridor around thes 12th century temple in Puri was being carried out without valid permission and might have caused damage to the structure.
Following this, the High Court directed the government to submit its reply by June 20. However, the court allowed the government to continue the work on the project.
The Public Works department has written to the secretary, Law department to appoint a practising lawyer in the Supreme Court to take up the case. It has suggested the name of advocate Gourav Khanna in this connection, the sources said.
It may be noted that Civil Judge (Senior Division) court in Puri also issued notices to Ministry of Culture, ASI and eight other parties others on Friday. Two days earlier, Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court had directed police to register criminal case against several authorities in this connection.
Also Read: Puri Heritage Corridor: Court Issues Notice To Culture Ministry & Several Authorities
