SC Verdict On Heritage Corridor: Puri Lawyers Launch Shoe Polish Drive To Collect Rs 1 Lakh Compensation

Puri: The lawyers of Puri have launched a shoe polish drive to collect Rs 1 lakh to pay compensation imposed by the Supreme Court on the petitioners of the Jagannath heritage corridor project.

While rejecting the petitions challenging the digging and construction being undertaken by the Odisha government outside the Jagannath Temple in Puri as part of heritage corridor project the Supreme Court termed the pleas as “frivolous” and imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on both the petitioners. “The appeals being without any substance are dismissed with cost,” the SC observed.

Stating that the lawyers of Puri respect the Supreme Court, convener of Jagannath Sena, Priyadarshan Patnaik said “The petitioner was representing Lord Jagannath and the people of Puri hence we are collecting Re 1 from each person to collect Rs 1 lakh and pay the compensation.”

Patnaik has appealed lawyers across the state to polish shoes and collect Re 1 each to pay the fine. He and a few other lawyers polished shoes of passersby in Puri as a mark of protest.

Also Read: Puri Heritage Corridor: Supreme Court Rejects Pleas Against Project, Imposes Penalty On Petitioners

On the other hand, eviction drive for construction of Siddhamahavir Rail Overbridge (ROB) at Siddhamahavir level crossing started on Monday.

The people whose shops and residences had to be demolished for the project were offered new compensation package by the administration, stated sources.

The eviction drive was carried out under the direct supervision of the Sub-Collector. While officials of NHAI and CESU were present at the spot, two magistrates and two platoons of police force were also deployed to avoid any kind of untoward situation.

A total of 161 villagers’ houses of four mouzas namely Siddhamahavir, Kumutipatna, Matiapada and Balukhand will be evicted. As per the compensation package, those having shop space over 100 square feet will get Rs 2,25,000 each and below 100 square feet will get Rs 1,25,000 each.