High Court hears chariot climbing case

Odisha Channel Bureau Cuttack, June 20: Orissa High Court on Friday heard arguments on a public interest petition on the contentious issue of devotees climbing chariots and touching deities during the Rath Yatra in Puri.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A.K.Goel and Justice A.K.Rath, which heard submissions made by counsel for the petitioner and the State government, was likely to pass orders later in the day.Bhabani Prasad Mishra, a lawyer, had filed the petition seeking directions to the State government to implement the decision of Puri Shankaracharya who had advocated a blanket ban on devotees climbing the chariots.On the other hand, the Committee formed to resolve the controversy was scheduled to meet in the evening to take a final view on the matter on the basis of the High Court order.The controversy had thickened after the Daitapati servitors of Lord Jagannath strongly opposed the recommendation of the Shankaracharya.