Cuttack, July 5, 2013: In a sigh of relief for the devotees of Cuttack, the Supreme Court today ordered “status quo” on the State Government’s proposed move to demolish Khan Nagar Sai temple, Tulasipur Gayatri temple and Chahata Ram temple in the city.

Adjudicating over a petition filed by the trustees of the three shrines, the apex court stayed the demolition drive pending further hearing.

Earlier, A SC bench of Justices B S Chauhan and Dipak Misra had, hearing a special leave petition (SLP), stayed the demolition of Ananta Gopal Ashram located near the Mahanadi river.

Riding on an Orissa High Court order, Cuttack district administration launched its operation on May 1 to raze illegal religious structures built on government land after 1987.

While some 200 such shrines have been identified by the administration, demolition drive was recently brought to halt after pulling down above 10 temples.

Source: Odisha Reporter, DT. July 5, 2013.