The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday granted permission for filing a petition alleging “irregularities” in the administration and functioning of the newly inaugurated Jagannath Dham temple in West Bengal’s Digha.

The matter was “mentioned” before the division bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Smita Das De, questioning how tax exemptions on donations can be justified if the temple is officially part of a “West Bengal government-funded cultural centre”.

In the petition, Kaustav Bagchi, a lawyer, claimed that the temple is being operated under the guise of a private trust even as the address listed for donations is that of the Housing Infrastructure Development Corporation (HIDCO), a government agency.

The petitioner sought an investigation into how a trust can legally use the premises and resources of a state-run body.

The PIL also raised questions on the recruitment of civic volunteers for temple-related duties.

The petitioner said the state Cabinet approved the hiring of nearly 100 civic volunteers for the temple, and a notification was issued for the same.

Bagchi urged the court to direct the temple authorities to clarify the legal and administrative basis for such recruitment.

The Jagannath Dham temple, inaugurated by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on April 30, is modelled after the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. Built in the traditional Kalinga architectural style, the temple was developed at a cost of Rs 250 crore by the state government.

More than 800 artisans contributed to the project, which aims to position Digha as a major religious and tourist destination. According to sources, the state government also plans to organise an annual “ratha yatra” at the temple site.