Orissa HC status quo on temple land

CUTTACK: Orissa high court has ordered status quo on disputed 112 acre, which was sold for a song to a construction company. The land in Khurda district belongs to Puri Jagannath Temple. A bench of Justices A K Rath, Biswajit Mohanty and B R Sarangi has also directed Jagannath Temple Administration to submit a detailed report on the entire issue by August 8. The court had suo motu taken cognizance of the case after articles were published in a local daily, alleging precious Jagannath lands were sold away to Kukumina construction company. The court had issued notice to the company and state government in the matter earlier. "We have sought time from court to file our reply as we need to analyze the affidavit submitted by the construction company", said Biswanath Rath, counsel of temple administration.
Case details reveal 112 acre 16 decimal at Chhatrama village in Khurda was sold to the company at Rs 41,100 an acre only in 1994. The sale deed was prepared in 2004.The court felt the price was too low compared to market value.