Orissa High Court Orders Removal of Illegal Occupants from Lord Jagannath Temple Property

The Orissa High Court has upheld eviction orders against unauthorized occupants of Amrutamanohi lands belonging to the Lord Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Justice Sanjeeb K. Panigrahi dismissed petitions from individuals claiming over five decades of possession, affirming that such land is legally vested in the deity and cannot be alienated contrary to law.

The Court emphasised that possession of government-issued identity documents does not confer legal title or authorised possession over temple land.

Accordingly, the writ petition was dismissed, upholding the eviction order as well as the rejection of representation.

[Bishnu Charan Sahoo v. State of Odisha & Ors.]