The SDJM Court here on Wednesday directed for filing of case
against the Puri Collector, the Odisha Bridge & Construction
Corporation (OBCC) and the Tata Projects while hearing a petition
over the ongoing Shree Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor Project
in the pilgrim town.
The order was passed in response to a petition filed by Puri Bar
Association secretary Bibhuti Shankar Tripathy.
Earlier, the petitioner had approached the Singhadwar police alleging
illegal construction of the project in the prohibited zone near the
temple without the permission of the Archaeological Survey of India
(ASI).
The petitioner had demanded registration of case against the three
parties under the AMASAR Act. However, the police allegedly
refused to register any case in this connection, following which the
petitioner moved the SDJM Court.
Notably, the ASI, in its affidavit in response to a petition, has
informed the Orissa High Court that no valid permission was given by
it for the project being constructed around the Jagannath Temple. The
court has asked the state government to file an affidavit in response to
the ASI affidavit of on or before June 20. The next hearing of the case
has been scheduled for June 22.
