In a joint operation by the Singhdwar police station and Town police station in Puri, Odisha, authorities have arrested 12 individuals for posing as servants of the revered Shri Jagannath Temple. These fake servitors were targeting devotees, especially non-Odias, on Badadand and Parikrama roads, extorting money by offering to guide them during their temple visit.
Details of the Operation
- The arrests were made after Puri police received information from a reliable source about anti-social elements collecting money illegally from devotees.
- A special team was formed by Puri SP to track these individuals for two days before making the arrests.
- The accused had no connection with the rituals or traditions of the Shri Jagannath Temple.
Accused and Seized Items
- Names of Accused: Pradeep Kumar Behera, Balaram Badapanda, Mahami Prasad Baral, Manorjan Sahu, Jagannath Das, Arjun Parshti, Jagannath Mishra, Maheshwar Das, Santosh Raut, Sonu Das, Pradeep Tripathi, and Sagar Rath.
- Seized Items: 14 mobile phones and Rs 20,000 in cash.
Charges and Action
- A case has been registered against the accused at Singhdwar and Town police stations under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
- The accused were produced in court and sent to jail after their bail was rejected.
The incident highlights the need for devotees to remain vigilant while visiting the Jagannath Temple, which attracts millions of visitors annually.