Arun Mishra, J. - (1.) The petition has been filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India to direct an investigation/enquiry into the disappearance of the keys to the Ratna Bhandar of the Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri. It has also been prayed that an inventory of the valuables stored at the Ratna Bhandar of Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri be taken and to direct appointment of an expert committee to submit a report to this Court for preservation and management of property and valuables of Shri Jagannath Temple. Prayer has also been made to provide express darshan to all the devotees visiting Shri Jagannath Temple, Puri. Reliance has been placed on the decision of this Court in Sarika v. Administrator, Shri Mahakaleshwar Mandir Committee, Ujjain, M.P. & ors., 2018 6 Scale 651 (Civil Appeal No.4676 of 2018).
(2.) While entertaining the petition, this Court has passed an order on 8.6.2018, directing District Judge, Puri a submit a report. Later on, vide order dated 5.7.2018, in addition to order dated 8.6.2018, some more directions were issued and were summed up as follows: "19. We may sum-up our directions in today's orders, in addition to the orders dated 8.6.2018, as follows: i) Report of the District Judge dated 26.6.2018 is accepted in principle and action to be taken by the temple administration. ii) District Judge, Puri may send further report, if any by 31.8.2018, preferably by e-mail. iii) The State Government may submit report of the Committee constituted by it on or before 31.8.2018. iv) The Central Government may constitute its Committee, as already directed, within two weeks from today and place its interim report on record of this Court on or before 31.8.2018. v) Copy of the Report of the District Judge may be placed on the websites of the temple management, Ministry of Culture and website of the Supreme Court for two weeks. vi) The directions in the order dated 8.6.2018 may be complied with by all concerned and non-compliance thereof may be reported to this Court for appropriate action if necessary. vii) The temple management may consider, subject to regulatory measures, with regard to dress code, giving of an appropriate declaration or compliance with other directions, permitting every visitor irrespective of his faith, to offer respects and to make offerings to the deity. viii) We have noted that Hinduism does not eliminate any other belief and is eternal faith and wisdom and inspiration of centuries, as noted in earlier judgments of this Court. ix) Difficulties faced by the visitors, deficiencies in management, maintenance of hygiene, appropriate utilization of offerings and protections of assets with regard to shrines, irrespective of religion is a matter for consideration not only for the State Government, Central Government but also for Courts. Every District Judge throughout India may examine such matters himself or through any court under his jurisdiction and send a report to the concerned High Court so that such report can be treated as PIL on the judicial side and such direction may be issued as may be considered necessary having regard to individual fact situation. x) Learned amicus is at liberty to engage with all stakeholders and to give suggestions for bringing about improvements and also to give a report to this Court. However, this will not stand in the way of the Committee of the State Government, Committee of the Central Government or any District Judge considering matters in terms of above directions."
(3.) This Court vide order dated 9.1.2019, has appointed Shri Ranjit Kumar, learned Senior Counsel as Amicus Curiae and Ms. Priya Hingorani, learned Senior Counsel was requested to assist him in the matter. Learned Amicus Curiae has submitted interim reports pursuant to the orders which have been passed by this Court from time to time. During the pendency of the writ petition, the State Government has decided to make certain land acquisitions so as to provide various facilities to the pilgrims such as building of watch tower, an evacuation plan, widening of roads, etc. A Cabinet of the State Government of Orissa has taken a decision, which has been gazetted on 27.8.2019. Thereafter, as the instructions had been issued by the State Government, there was some unrest for the time being which has been settled. We had requested the Amicus Curiae to make a site visit and submit a report. They have submitted their report.;