CUTTACK: The BJP on Friday moved Orissa high court praying for an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the keys of the inner treasury of the Puri Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar (treasure) by the CBI.The petition was filed by BJP leader Samir Mohanty who has sought a thorough probe into the incident by an independent agency like CBI. He also expressed doubts about the ability of the state police to conduct a free and fair investigation into the incident. The petitioner said the valuables of the deities are stored in the Ratna Bhandar of the 12th century shrine and the disappearance of the keys of the inner chamber has raised serious concerns. The incident not only poses a threat to the security of the temple, but it has also affected the religious sentiments of people of the state, he said.The BJP has, in its petition, cited that the party had filed an FIR with Singhdwar police station in Puri on June 13 appealing police to investigate the case and identify the persons behind the matter. But the police are yet to act on it."The state police cannot probe the matter properly as the home department comes under the purview of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. The chief minister is also accountable in the matter. It is a serious matter. Hence we have prayed for a CBI inquiry into the incident," said BJP s counsel Pitambar Acharya.Since the keys of the Ratna Bhandar are missing, the possibility of stealing of jewellery kept there is higher, the party appealed in its petition. Urging the high court's intervention in the matter, the BJP prayed that there is an urgent need to identify the persons behind the incident and take appropriate action. The case is likely to be taken up for hearing next week. Notably, CM Naveen Patnaik has appointed Justice Raghubir Dash Commission to inquire into the circumstances leading to the disappeaance of the keys of the Ratna Bhandar.

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