May 18, ( OT Webdesk) In a decisive step toward protecting the sacred assets of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, the Orissa High Court has directed the Odisha government to draft comprehensive guidelines for the sale, lease, transfer, and mutation of temple properties.
The ruling, delivered by a division bench led by Justice Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Panigrahi, underscores the need to preserve the sanctity and ownership rights of the temple’s land and assets.
The court has mandated the immediate digitisation of all temple land records to enhance transparency and accountability.
The guidelines aim to prevent unauthorised transactions, ensure coordination between the Revenue and Land Records departments, and enforce legal safeguards against encroachments and mismanagement.
The court has also called for a review of Section 16(2) of the governing legislation to close loopholes that could allow misinterpretations.
The Odisha government has been urged to act swiftly, ensuring that the temple’s ownership remains undisputed and protected under the law.
This move is expected to streamline property management and strengthen administrative oversight.
