In a huge relief to devotees protesting against the eviction drive in Cuttack, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed the demolition of Khan Nagar Sai temple, Tulasipur Gayatri temple and Chahata Ram temple in the city.

Hearing on a petition filed by the trustees of the temples, the apex court directed the district administration to maintain status quo on eviction of three temples till further hearing.

The order is a blow to the district administration whose efforts went in vain while moving forward to pull down the Sai temple in Khan Nagar a week ago.

Earlier, the apex court had stayed the demolition of Ananta Gopal Ashram in Mahanadi Vihar area of Cuttack.

The district administration had launched the demolition drive against illegal temples and structures in the city on May 1. A total of 30 temples and other religious structures have been demolished so far those were built on government lands.