Puri: First Lady Savita Kovind, wife of President Ramnath Kovind, was ‘inappropriately touched’ by some servitors during their visit to the Puri Jagannath Temple in March, as per a complaint that has surfaced late.
The three ‘accused’ servitors are likely to be taken to task for their alleged indiscretion. The first lady was part of the Presidential entourage at the temple.
After Rashtrapati Bhawan took up the matter with the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), the district administration took the matter seriously and initiated steps to bring the ‘accused’ servitors to justice.
A meeting was held by the Chhatisha Nijog some days ago, after which a report was released by the managing committee.
It stated that the President and his wife were not given sufficient space to reach the sanctum. Some servitors deliberately brushed their bodies with that of the President and his wife. This was unacceptable, the report noted.
Recently, the Supreme Court issued a slew of directions to address alleged exploitation of devotees by the servitors at Shri Jagannath temple. The court also issued directions regarding the financial management, including proper recording of the donations and offerings by pilgrims.
