Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Puri, July 25:

A local court in Odisha’s Puri today issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against the six absconding servitors accused of heckling District Collector during the Niladri Bije rituals on July 17.

servitor

According to sources, the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) court today issued NBW against the fugitives who were given a deadline to surrender before police by Saturday.

The warrant has been issued against Damodar Mahasuara, Jayakrushna Mahasuara, Saina Khuntia, Bhimsen Palaknadhari, Ipsit Pratihari, and Rabi Dash.

Earlier on Friday, the Singhadwara police had arrested two servitors— Surya Narayan Pratihari and Raghunath Khuntia— for allegedly misbehaving with the Collector during Niladri Bije.

Notably, three servitors– Damodar Mahasuara, Jayakrushna Mahasuara and Harinarayan Khuntia– filed anticipatory bail plea in the Orissa High Court on Friday.

It may be recalled that some servitors had an altercation with the Collector during the Niladri Bije ritual when he confronted them after the servitors and their kin alighted from the Taladhwaja chariot, in clear violation of High Court and Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) orders. The incident had led to the delay in the conduct of rituals and pahandi of Lord Sudarshan.

Moments later, the servitors had a scuffle with media persons while they were trying to ascertain from the Nayak of Chhattisha Nijoga regarding the reason leading to the delay in the pahandi.