Justice P K Mohanty to probe Jagannath temple stampede

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 (UNI) Orissa High Court Judge Mr Justice P K Mohanty will head the one-man Commission to probe the stampede in Jagannath Temple on November 4.

State Law Minister B B Harichandan announced the name of the one-man commission while replying to the admissibility of an adjournment motion on stampede in Jagannath Temple in which four devotees were killed and several others injured.

Describing the incident as ''most unfortunate'', Mr Harichandan said the state government would not hesitate to take strong action against those found guilty.

He said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had requested Orissa High Court Chief Justice on November 6 to nominate a sitting judge to probe the incident and the latter had nominated Mr Justice Mohanty to head the Commission.

The Law Minister said while some blamed the temple administration for the tragic incident, others attributed the too much eagerness of devotees to see the deities led to the stampede inside the temple.

However, a judicial probe ordered by the government would bring the real facts to light, Mr Harichandan said and declined to comment before the completion of the inquiry.

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