In Brief
The Supreme Court addressed a writ petition challenging the disappearance of keys to the Temple treasury and seeking systemic reforms at Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri. While declining to dictate religious practices, the Court held that it can direct administrative reforms for Temple management. The Court directed the Chief Administrator to take disciplinary action against servitors obstructing rituals, mandated hygiene and sanitation standards, required proper inventory of Temple assets and properties, ordered establishment of schools for servitors' children, and directed the State Government to cooperate in redevelopment while ensuring fair rehabilitation. The Court emphasized that daily nitis (rituals) must be performed regularly without obstruction, that hereditary servitor rights are statutory but can be rationalized, and that Temple administration must balance religious traditions with public health and modern governance standards.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.