Admitting a PIL seeking removal of temples, photos, idols of deities from the premises of government offices and police stations, the Orissa High Court today issued notices to the state government asking it to file counters within four weeks.

A division bench of the High Court, comprising Justices Indrajit Mohanti and Biswanath Mohapatra, issued notices to the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police asking them to file counter affidavits to the PIL filed by the petitioner, Abhiram Mallick.

Appearing for the petitioner, advocate Khirod Kumar Rout argued secularism was one of the basic features of the Constitution and the state shall have no religion of its own and its agencies and instrumentalities shall not preach any religion in public life.

Annexing documents showing temples in several government office premises, including that of the state secretariat in Bhubaneswar, the petitioner claimed that out of some 18 police stations in Cuttack city, 10 have temples in their premises.

The petitioner also sought the order of the High Court to remove all photos and idols of deities on the walls, corridors, lifts and entrance gates of government offices.

Terming these as "public nuisances", the petitioner maintained such places of worship in government offices have turned into commercial establishments as funds are collected from general public for performing rituals and other celebrations on important festivities.