All entry points closed, curfew in Puri during Rath Yatra: Supreme Court

The Rath Yatra at Puri, the Supreme Court on Monday passed 11 directions including for a curfew as the Odisha government stated that it might be possible to conduct the festival “in a limited way without public attendance.”

The apex court ordered closure of entry points into Puri and the state government would have to impose a curfew, which begins 8 pm on Monday and continues during the period of the Rath Yatra.

A bench comprising Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and A.S. Bopanna said: “The bare minimum number of people shall be allowed by the Committee to participate in the rituals and in the Rath Yatra. All entry points into Puri, i.e., airports, railway stations, bus stands, etc, shall be closed during the period of Rath Yatra festival.”

On June 18, the apex court put a stay on the Rath Yatra against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

on Monday, the bench said the state government shall impose a curfew in Puri on all the days and during all the time when Rath Yatra chariots are taken in procession.