Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The Jharkhand High Court delivered a significant verdict on Wednesday regarding the ongoing dispute over the Jagannathpur Temple’s trust committee. The court ordered the dissolution of the old committee and the formation of a new 11-member committee, with Advocate General Rohit Shankar Roy appointed as its chairman.
This decision paves the way for a new system regarding the temple’s management and operations.
The court constituted this committee to examine the scheme proposed by the Jharkhand State Hindu Religious Trust Board. The committee will study the scheme and submit its report by September 3, with the next hearing scheduled for September 7.
The committee includes Jayashankar Pathak, Chairman of the Jharkhand State Hindu Religious Trust Board, and Manjunath Bhajantri, the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi. Additionally, the committee comprises four High Court advocates—Senior Advocate VP Singh, Ajit Kumar, Indrajit Sinha, and Bharat Kumar—along with three descendants of the late NE Nath.
This court decision clears the path for a new administrative and management arrangement, resolving a long-standing dispute.
During the hearing, a revised plan for the temple’s management and operations was presented to the court on behalf of the Jharkhand State Hindu Religious Trust Board. Advocate Bharat Kumar represented the Board.
The court took the Board’s revised plan on record and scheduled the next hearing for September 7.
Earlier, on July 22, 2026, Justice Anand Sen’s court had heard a petition challenging the Jharkhand Hindu Religious Trust Board’s order to dissolve the existing trust committee and form a new one. At that time, the court issued several important directives regarding the temple’s future administration and management.
During the proceedings, the Board had presented a detailed plan for the temple’s operations and management, and the court had directed all concerned parties to submit their responses and suggestions regarding the proposed plan.
The High Court had also directed the Ranchi Deputy Commissioner to ensure the smooth, regular functioning of the temple. The court had directed that Rs 30,000 be made available every month from the Jagannathpur Temple committee’s funds for the temple’s regular operations.
The court had also instructed the temple committee to submit full details of its expenses to the Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi on a weekly basis.
