New Delhi, June 27: The Odisha government has denied receiving complaint from the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the alleged mistreatment meted out towards President Ram Nath Kovind and his wife Savita during their maiden visit to the Jagannath Temple in March this year.

Earlier this week, reports said the President and his wife were "harassed and manhandled" by three servitors at the temple. The Rashtrapati Bhavan had sent a note of complaint to Puri Collector Arvind Agrawal on March 19, reported News 18, citing local Odia daily Pragativadi.

The report claimed at least three servitors misbehaved with Kovind and his wife, as per the complaint received from the President's Office. While they were nudged earlier when praying outside the sanctum sanctorum, a Khuntia Mekap servitor allegedly did not make room for them when they entered the innermost chamber of the temple.

The Collector has asked the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) to conduct a thorough inquiry in the case. The three servitors, accused of manhandling and harrassing Kovind and Savita, have been issued a show-cause notice.

IAS officer Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, who is the chief administrator of the SJTA, accepted the mistreatment meted out to the President and the First Lady. While speaking to reporters, Mohapatra said the matter is being investigated.

Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson of the ruling BJD, Pratap Keshari Deb, said the Collector has been mandated to conduct an inquiry in the case. Strict action will be taken against all those who misbehaved, he said.

Congress leader Suresh Kumar Routray also condemned the incident, saying the mistreatment of servitors reflects the hardship faced by ordinary devotees who visit the Jagannath Temple.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2018 07:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).