Case against Odisha CM for breaking Shrimandir rules

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Jan 2:

The Puri Sachetana Nagarika Manch has lodged a complaint against Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for violating the rules during his visit to the Lord Jagannath temple here on Thursday.

In its complaint lodged with the Singhdwar police, the Manch has alleged that the Chief  Minister violated the time honoured convention by parking his car nera the Aruna Stambha and in front of the Lion’s Gate of the temple.

The temple administration has declared the area from Aruna Stambha to Lions’ gate as a prohibited zone and has barred devotees from keeping their their shoes in this area, it pointed out..

The Manch alleged that the act of the chief minister has hurt the religious sentiments of the Hindus as well as the tradition of the temple.

Stating that several devotees were deprived of the darshan of the Lords due to parking of Chief Minister’s vehicle, the Manch has demanded his arrest under Section 279, 336, 295 (a) and 299 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 32 of the Police Act.

“We have sent a copy of the complaint to the Shankaracharya of Gobardhan Peeth, Mukti Mandap, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Prime Minister and the Director General of Police (DGP),” convener of the Manch Priyadarshan Patnaik told the media.

“Even the vehicle of the President of India Pranab Mukherjee, during his recent visit to the temple, had parked outside the prohibited zone. Why would the Chief Minister’s vehicle be parked inside the prohibited zone?” asked the temple servitors, while protesting the incident.

However, the Singhdwar police is yet to regsiter a case. “We have received a complaint. The charges are being verified,” DSP Pravash Routray said.