Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, Jul 19:

The Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) today acted tough and suspended nine sevayats (servitors) on charges of causing the delay in pahandi of the deities, unauthorized mounting on chariots and misbehaving with the District Collector on Niladri Bije day.

SEBAYAT

Nine sevayats  Damodar Mahasuara, Jayakrushna Mahasuara, Ipsit Pratihari, Rabi Das, Saina Khuntia, Kasinath Khuntia, Rabinarayan  Khuntia, Bhagirathi Khuntia and Bhimsen Palankadhari were suspended under the provisions of Sri Jagannath Temple Act.

“Those sevayats who had facilitated climbing onto chariots of unauthorized persons on the Niladri Bije day and after that had altercation/arguments with the District Collector causing indiscipline have been suspended. The decision to suspend them was taken after examination of the CCTV footage by our Administrator (Security) and me. The SJTA under section 21B (A & C) of the Sri Jagannath Temple Act 1954 has suspended nine sevayats pending drawal of disciplinary proceedings against them. Immediately draft charges will be framed against them and notice will be served and disciplinary action will be initiated against them. They are Damodar Mahasuara, Jayakrushna Mahasuara, Bhimsen Palankadhari, Ipsit Pratihari, Rabi Das, Saina Khuntia, Kasinath Khuntia,  Rabinarayan  Khuntia and Bhagirathi Khuntia,” informed Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Chief Administrator SJTA to reporters.

On the other hand, the six sevayats arrested for attacking working journalists during the Niladri Bije ritual were sent to judicial custody after their bail applications were rejected by the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate Court here.

Earlier in the day, four teams of the police led by City DSP arrested these sevayats after raiding several places in the holy town.

Four cases have been lodged at the Simhadwar police station in connection with the disturbance during the Niladri Bije rituals on July 17.