Orissa HC Backs Jagannath Temple, Upholds Eviction from Amrutamanohi Land
The Orissa High Court has ruled in favour of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Puri, by upholding eviction orders against long-time residents occupying Amrutamanohi lands in Hatasahi Mouza, Cuttack.
Justice S.K. Panigrahi delivered the judgment while dismissing four petitions filed by families who claimed possession of the land for more than 50 years. The Court clarified that Amrutamanohi land is a special category of property legally owned by Lord Jagannath and managed by the SJTA. It carries religious and public importance, making it non-transferable and protected under the Shree Jagannath Temple Act, 1955.
The petitioners, mostly daily-wage workers, argued that their continuous stay and supporting documents like voter IDs, Aadhaar cards, and electricity bills should allow them to purchase the land under the temple’s “Uniform Policy.” However, Justice Panigrahi made it clear that such documents only prove residence, not ownership rights.
The Court emphasised that the “Uniform Policy” applies only to lawful occupants, not to encroachers. It further observed that the eviction was in line with earlier High Court directions issued in a public interest litigation (PIL), which had ordered the removal of unauthorised occupants from Amrutamanohi lands across Odisha.
Rejecting the petitions, the Court held that “long-standing occupation cannot legitimise encroachment over temple property,” and confirmed that both the eviction notice and the rejection of settlement requests were legally valid.
