Puri, Dec 24: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has informed the High Court that the repair work of the Ratna Bhandar at the Shree Jagannath Temple has been completed and the treasury has been handed over to the temple administration.

While the ornaments were removed from the Ratna Bhandar during the restoration, their counting and inventory have not yet been completed. The State Government has stated that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is being prepared for this purpose, and the details will be submitted to the High Court in the next hearing.

A division bench of the Odisha High Court, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M.S. Raman, has adjourned the hearing of the case until after the winter vacation.

According to the affidavit filed by D.B. Gadnayak, Superintending Archaeologist of the Puri Circle, the Ratna Bhandar was handed over to the ASI for repairs on December 17, 2024. The first phase of repairs continued until April 28, 2025, after which the treasury was reopened during this year’s Rath Yatra, starting June 28, 2025, for further restoration work. The repairs were fully completed before the treasury was returned to the temple administration on July 6.

Petitioner Dilip Kumar Baral had drawn the Court’s attention to the fact that the counting of the ornaments had not yet been conducted. The State Government assured the Court that the inventory would be conducted once the SOP is finalized.

The petitioner’s case is being represented by advocate Anup Kumar Mahapatra. Meanwhile, a high-level committee chaired by Justice Biswanath Rath is scheduled to meet on December 27 to discuss the draft SOP.