Cuttack: The Orissa High Court today while upholding the notification issued by the State Government that in view of the Covid-19 pandemic Rath Yatra shall be held in Puri only and refused to intervene in the matter.
The State Government told the High Court that the notification has been issued in conformity with the order of the Supreme Court issued on June 22 last year.
The High Court dismissed five petitions filed before it seeking permission to hold Rath Yatra at two places Baladevjew’s Tulasi Kshetra (Kendrapara) and Bhatli.
Rath Yatra-the nine-day sojourn of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to the Gundicha Temple (their birthplace) was also cancelled in other places last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Akshay Pandey, counsel for the petitioners which included servitors of Lord Baladevjew Temple said that they had prayed the High Court challenging the notification issued by the State government allowing Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath only in Puri while restricting the annual event in other places.
Pandey informed that the High Court after hearing all the parties refused to intervene in the matter.
He, however, said that the next step will be decided after holding a discussion with his clients.
Commenting over the High Court’s decision not to intervene in the matter, senior High Court lawyer Bibhuti Bhushan Choudhary said that the parties are free to file a special leave petition in the Supreme Court and seek permission to allow Rath Yatra in other places.
