1. The Jagannath Temple Rath Yatra matter was mentioned before Justice Arun Mishra's Bench today by the Counsel for the State Government of Odisha, Mr. Harish Salve for modification of the order dated June 18, 2020.
2. The Bench has directed the matter to be listed at the end of the board after consulting with the Chief Justice of India.
3. The CJI has directed the matter to be taken up at 2.30 P. M. The Solicitor General Shri Tushar Mehta, and the State Government's Counsel Shri Harish Salve both inform the CJI that they have instructions with respect to the Rath Yatra.
4. The SG, Shri Tushar Mehta commences submissions before the CJI in relation to the Shri Jagannath Rath Yatra.
5. The SG submits that the Rath Yatra can be conducted without affecting the public health, in particular Covid guidelines.
6. The SG submits that the Union of India will consult all the stakeholders in conducting the Rath Yatra.
7. The Hon’ble CJI observes that Union's involvement in this issue is not necessary since the State Government can handle the Rath Yatra in consultation with the traditional stakeholders.
8. Mr. Harish Salve, Counsel for the State Government, submits that the State Government has no objection to the conduct of the Yatra in Puri with appropriate precautions being taken to prohibit public participation.
9. Mr. Ranjit Kumar appears for the participation and submits that the participation must be limited strictly only to the relevant stakeholders instead of involving everyone from the Temple administration and the Sevayat community.
10. The Hon’ble CJI observes that the Supreme Court will not micro manage the issues and will leave it to the State Government to handle these issues bearing in mind public health concerns.
11. The SG submits that it is the very same State Government that supported the Petitioner on the last date in seeking a ban on the Rath Yatra for this year.
12. The SG submits that its only concern is that the State Government must abide by the Union's guidelines with respect to Covid measures in conducting the Rath Yatra.
13. The CJI observes that it is to be assumed that the State Government will abide by the guidelines issued by the Covid authority. If they don't, they do so at their own peril.
14. Mr. Narasimha submits on behalf of Chief Servitor of the Temple that Temple Committee must be primary entity responsible for the conduct of Rath Yatra, and not the State Government since the Committee is statutorily empowered under Section 5 of Shri Jagannath Temple Act 1955.
15. Mr. Narasimha submits that role of State Govt is limited to coordinating with Temple Committee since Sri Jagannath Temple Act expressly vests powers in Sri Jagannath Temple Management Committee of which Gajapati & Sevayats are important members especially in religious matters
16. Mr. Narasimha appears along with Mr. @jsaideepak and Mr. @Suvidutt for the Chief Servitor of the Shri Jagannath Temple.
17. The Hon’ble CJI will now pass orders based on the submissions.
18. Mr. Salve submits that the State Government will coordinate with the Temple Committee as well as the Union Government to ensure smooth conduct of the Rath Yatra.
19. The Hon’ble CJI is dictating the modification of the Order dated June 18, 2020.
20. The Hon’ble CJI dictatesthat the said Order was passed based on the anticipation of a crowd of 10-12 lakhs for the Yatra, which would have impacted public health severely.
21. The Hon’ble CJI has dictated the order which will be made available.
22. Hearing stands concluded. Jai Jagannath.
