SJTA Takes Action Against Illegal Encroachment of Lord Jagannath’s Sacred Land in Puri |
Bhubaneswar: Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Saturday lodged a police complaint after it uncovered attempts to illegally encroach upon and transfer land belonging to Lord Jagannath in Matitota mouza under Unit-1, Puri. SJTA promptly filed a complaint at Baseli Sahi police station, seeking legal intervention to halt these unauthorized activities.
In a statement, the chief administrator of SJTA urged Puri district collector and superintendent of police, Puri, to take immediate and stringent action against those involved.
SJTA sources said, “The temple administration received a complaint from local people that the land belonging to Lord Jagannath was encroached upon and some attempts were made to sell it off illegally. SJTA immediately lodged a police complaint and asked the collector and SP of the district administration to conduct an enquiry and take action immediately.”
The disputed property, registered under khata no. 38, comprises 109 plots that are legally owned by the deity. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee made it clear that such encroachments will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He also cautioned the public against engaging in such illegal activities, warning that any attempts to transfer or encroach on temple property would lead to severe legal consequences, including penalties and imprisonment.
The temple administration emphasised that Lord Jagannath’s property is sacred and legally protected, and any attempts to tamper with it are both unethical and unlawful. Citizens and organizations have been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities regarding temple land to the authorities. The SJTA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the property of Lord Jagannath and ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The Jagannath temple in Puri owns around 60,426 acres of land spread across 24 districts in Odisha, besides 395 acres outside Odisha. In Sept last year, then law minister Jagannath Saraka told the Odisha assembly that 974 patches of land of Lord Jagannath in different parts of the state were encroached and cases were filed under the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to remove these encroachments.
In a statement, the chief administrator of SJTA urged Puri district collector and superintendent of police, Puri, to take immediate and stringent action against those involved.
SJTA sources said, “The temple administration received a complaint from local people that the land belonging to Lord Jagannath was encroached upon and some attempts were made to sell it off illegally. SJTA immediately lodged a police complaint and asked the collector and SP of the district administration to conduct an enquiry and take action immediately.”
The disputed property, registered under khata no. 38, comprises 109 plots that are legally owned by the deity. SJTA chief administrator Arabinda Padhee made it clear that such encroachments will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
He also cautioned the public against engaging in such illegal activities, warning that any attempts to transfer or encroach on temple property would lead to severe legal consequences, including penalties and imprisonment.
The temple administration emphasised that Lord Jagannath’s property is sacred and legally protected, and any attempts to tamper with it are both unethical and unlawful. Citizens and organizations have been urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities regarding temple land to the authorities. The SJTA has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the property of Lord Jagannath and ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The Jagannath temple in Puri owns around 60,426 acres of land spread across 24 districts in Odisha, besides 395 acres outside Odisha. In Sept last year, then law minister Jagannath Saraka told the Odisha assembly that 974 patches of land of Lord Jagannath in different parts of the state were encroached and cases were filed under the Shri Jagannath Temple Act, 1955, to remove these encroachments.
