SC to hear pleas on June 22 seeking modification of its Stay Order on 'Rath Yatra' in Odisha

On Monday, the Apex Court will hear 4 pleas seeking modification of its earlier order of June 18, which had stayed the 'Rath Yatra' in Puri & all other places in Odisha keeping in view the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

The Top Court's single-Judge bench comprising Justice S Ravindra Bhat will hear the matter in chamber hearing at 11 am tomorrow.

Earlier on June 18, a 3-Judge Bench of the Supreme Court headed by CJI S A Bobde said that such gatherings can't take place at the time of the pandemic.

The SC observed, "Lord Jagannath will forgive us if we stay the Rath Yatra this year... In the interest of public health & safety of citizens, Rath Yatra can't be allowed this year".

The Odisha Govt had decided to abide by the SC's order to not hold Jagannath 'Rath Yatra' in Puri this year in view of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The decision was taken at a state cabinet meeting on Thursday chaired by CM Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar after the SC stayed the annual 'Rath Yatra' of Lord Jagannath at Puri this year in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Yatra was scheduled to be held on June 23.

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