3-Member Panel Starts Probe in Lord Balabhadra’s Adapa Pahandi Mishap

Puri: The three-member committee formed to investigate the falling of Lord Balabhadra idol on some servitors during the pahandi to take the idols to Gundicha temple during Rath Yatra,, started its probe on Tuesday.

The committee comprises an Additional District Magistrate (ADM), an Administrator (Development) and an officer of DSP rank.

The committee has started interrogating concerned persons including Anant Haladhar Das Mahapatra, son of Haladhar Das Mahapatra, the Badagrahi of Lord Balabhadra.

The committee members also grilled the concerned Khuntia servitors, Pratihari servitors, officials of the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) and senior Daitapati servitors as part of the probe. The Chief Administrator of Srimandir was present virtually during the investigation.

A dozen servitors of the Puri Jagannath temple were injured on Tuesday when the idol of Lord Balabhadra fell on them during the Pahandi. The incident happened after 9 pm when the idol of Lord Balabhadra was being brought down from Taladhwaja chariot to be taken to the Gundicha temple.