Srimandir Ratna Bhandar row: Servitor appeals court for euthanasia in Odisha

Puri: Ahead of opening of Srimandir’s Ratna Bhandar by ASI, a servitor in service of deities today appealed for euthanasia before a local court here.

Servitor Narasingha Pujapanda filed a plea before the court of Sub-Collector in Puri for euthanasia if the mysterious treasury of the temple is opened by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on March 26.

The protest intensified after Orissa High Court, which is monitoring the repair work of Jagamohan, directed the ASI to inspect structural condition of Ratna Bhandar at the centuries old shrine of Lord Jagannath on March 26 and 27.

Several servitors and activists of Jagannath Sena have been opposing opening of the Ratna Bhandar stating the deed will bring disaster.

There are seven rooms in the Ratna Bhandar, where gold and other precious gems worth crores have been preserved.

Reports said that Ratna Bhandar was last opened in the year 1984. However, the ASI officials could not open the multi door- treasury after hearing horrific sounds from inside it.