The Orissa High Court has issued a stay order on further action regarding a proposed vending zone in Cuttack, following a petition by local residents who claim the land is recorded in the name of Lord Jagannath. A vacation bench comprising Justices Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo and M.S. Raman, on June 2, directed all parties to maintain the status quo over the land at Gayanana Chhak in ward number 48. The Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) had initiated steps to construct 20 shop rooms under the vending zone project.
Petitioners Challenge Tender Notice
The order was passed while hearing a petition filed by Debendra Kumar Das, Narayan Charan Parida, Santosh Kumar Panda, and Bhagyadhar Swain, all residents of Nimpur. The petitioners challenged a tender notice issued on May 21 for the construction of the commercial complex, alleging that the project was being undertaken on land belonging to the Puri Jagannath Temple. Advocate Sukant Kumar Dalai, appearing for the petitioners, submitted that official Record of Rights documents show the landowner as “Shri Jagannath Mahaprabhu Bije, Puri.”
Residents' Claims and Arguments
Dalai argued that the petitioners have been residing on the plots for years and have built houses there. He further claimed that the process for settlement of the land with occupants is already underway under the state's uniform land-settlement policy. The advocate also placed before the court documents related to applications filed for purchase and settlement of temple land. One of the petitioners, Bhagyadhar Swain, has applied for settlement of the plot in his possession, the vacation court was informed.
The residents contended that the establishment of the vending zone would jeopardize their homes and affect their claims for regularization of the land. They sought the court's intervention to stop the project until the ownership and settlement issues are resolved.
Court's Interim Order
Taking note of the submissions, the high court issued notices to the state government, the CMC, the Cuttack collector, the Tangi-Choudwar tehsildar, and the Puri Jagannath Temple Administration, seeking their responses. “In the interim, status quo as on date regarding the nature, character, possession, and ownership of the property shall be maintained,” the bench ordered.
Next Hearing and Broader Implications
The matter is scheduled to be taken up for admission in the week beginning July 27. The case has brought renewed focus on disputes involving land recorded in the name of the Jagannath Temple and the competing claims of long-time occupants and development authorities. This judgment highlights the ongoing tensions between urban development projects and the rights of residents living on land with disputed ownership.
