Temple Administration Orders Complaint Against Servitor Over Alleged Misconduct

Puri, Dec 27 :The Sri Jagannath Temple administration has directed the temple supervisor to file a formal complaint at the Simhadwar police station against a servitor associated with the Nishanrusingh temple, located within the premises of the Sri Jagannath Temple.

The directive followed a complaint lodged by a woman devotee, who alleged that she was molested by a young servitor during her visit to the Nishanrusingh temple on the evening of December 24. Acting on the complaint, the temple administration conducted a preliminary inquiry into the incident.

According to the findings, the original servitor of the Nishanrusingh temple had deputed another individual to perform temple duties in his place. The deputed person is alleged to have committed the offence. Taking serious note of the matter, the temple administration condemned the incident and initiated steps for criminal action through the police.

As an immediate preventive measure, the administration ordered that devotees will not be allowed to visit the Nishanrusingh temple until further notice. The move aims to ensure the safety and security of devotees while further investigation is carried out.

The administration also expressed concern over the practice of servitors deputising others to perform their duties. It stated that the issue would be taken up with the respective Nijogs (servitor associations) to prevent recurrence of such incidents, according to an official press release issued on Friday.