Orissa High Court sets three-month deadline for Ratna Bhandar inventory, seeks tabling of missing keys report in Assembly

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

CUTTACK, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

In a significant development with far-reaching administrative and public implications, the Orissa High Court has directed that the counting and verification of the Ratna Bhandar jewels of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri be completed within the next three months.

Issuing a clear and time-bound mandate, the Court ordered the authorities concerned to conclude the long-pending inventory and verification process of the Ratna Bhandar — considered one of the most revered and historically significant temple treasure chambers in the country — within the stipulated timeframe. The directive is expected to accelerate efforts to bring transparency and procedural closure to an issue that has remained under intense public scrutiny for years.

The High Court also took cognizance of the controversy surrounding the missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar. In this regard, it directed that the report of the Justice Raghubir Das Commission, which was constituted to probe the circumstances related to the missing keys, must be presented during the upcoming session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly. The tabling of the report is anticipated to shed light on the findings of the Commission and clarify administrative accountability in the matter.

The Ratna Bhandar, which houses precious ornaments and jewels offered to Lord Jagannath over centuries, has been at the centre of sustained debate and concern, particularly regarding its management, security, and documentation. Questions surrounding the physical verification of its contents and the status of its keys have periodically resurfaced, drawing attention from devotees, civil society groups, and policymakers alike.

By setting a firm deadline for the completion of the counting and verification process, the High Court has signalled the urgency of resolving the issue in a structured and transparent manner. Legal observers note that the Court’s intervention reinforces the importance of institutional oversight in matters involving public faith and heritage assets.