Calcutta HC clears PIL on Digha Jagannath temple over tax relief, volunteer hiring & HIDCO link

The Calcutta High Court has granted permission to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning various aspects of the Jagannath Temple in Digha. The division bench of Justice Soumen Sen gave the nod on Tuesday after reviewing the preliminary request by the petitioner. The PIL seeks judicial examination into issues related to tax benefits, trust operations, and volunteer appointments linked to the temple.

The petitioner has claimed that there is a proposal to provide income tax exemption on donations made to the Jagannath Temple in Digha. It has been argued that the temple is run by a trust and not a government entity, raising questions over the legitimacy of offering tax relief. The PIL contends that if the temple is part of a cultural centre, the proposal for donation-based exemptions needs to be legally reviewed.

Another point raised in the PIL is the usage of the address of Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO) by the trust managing the temple. According to the petitioner, donations made to the trust reflect the HIDCO address, and the plea has requested a judicial directive to investigate how a private trust is allowed to operate from a state infrastructure corporation’s premises.

The petitioner has also challenged the recent decision of the West Bengal Cabinet to appoint 100 civic volunteers for the Jagannath Temple. A notification related to the recruitment has already been issued. The PIL asks the court to seek clarification from temple authorities on the criteria and authority under which such appointments are being carried out. The court has granted permission for the PIL to be formally filed.