Bhubaneswar: Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and general administration and public grievances department demolished the controversial Baikuntha Dham ashram at Ghatikia on Friday, reclaiming govt land that was under illegal occupation.
The eviction operation that started at 11 am involved seven enforcement squads. It was completed by evening. One platoon of police was deployed at the site under Bharatpur police limits to maintain law and order during the demolition process.
“The drive was carried out peacefully, and the land was properly demarcated after demolition of the structure.

Police presence ensured no untoward incidents occurred during the operation,” said BDA’s additional commissioner (enforcement) Ranjan Jena.
The ashram came under scrutiny in Oct last year when one of its saints was controversially proclaimed as a divine reincarnation. Following this incident, the GA department issued an eviction order in Nov, but the ashram’s leadership obtained a stay order from the Orissa high court.
The recent revocation of the stay order by the high court paved the way for Friday’s demolition, resulting in the recovery of 0.14 acres of govt land. The operation was initiated following a formal requisition from the GA department, which owned the land.
Officials have indicated that the recovered land will be utilised for public purposes in accordance with govt guidelines.