Team News Riveting
Patna, July 28
A division bench of Patna High Court consisting of the Chief Justice, Sanjay Karol and Justice Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday directed the authorities of the Union of India and Government of Bihar to resolve the issues related to problems faced by the devotees of Mahabir Mandir near Patna Junction.
Hearing a petition filed by a Patna based journalist, Law Kumar Mishra, the High Court directed that the Station Superintendent of Patna junction and District Magistrate of Patna should hold a meeting on the issues involved and file a report on the next date of hearing in the High Court after four weeks.
Earlier, while hearing the petition on June 29, the High Court had inquired about the lack of parking facilities near the 300 years old temple. Court was told devotees had to use parking space in the Patna Junction on payment.
In the petition, Law Kumar Mishra had stated devotees were facing difficulty in parking their vehicles while visiting the temple. According to the petition, obstructions and barriers were created by the railways on the eastern entrance of the temple. He sought relief from the court for safe, secure and comfortable passage for the devotees. He had also requested the court to direct the agencies, including Mahabir Mandir trust to properly utilise all the space under the possession of the temple for developing devotee friendly amenities particularly during the ongoing Covid pandemic.
The whole spiritual halo around Mahabir Mandir is fouled by the beggars’ nuisance and menace, petitioner said. Adequate space, proper hygiene, safe and secure visit of the temple should be ensured, Mishra said in his petition. The ten respondents in the petition include Bihar state Religious Trusts Board, Mahabir Mandir Trust, urban development department, General Manager of the East Central Railways.
Law Kumar Mishra claimed in his petition he had been visiting the temple since his childhood. The annual earning of the temple through donations and sale of Ladoos is estimated at Rs 150 crore.
