Twelve people were arrested in Odisha’s Puri for allegedly extorting money from devotees visiting the Jagannath Temple by impersonating servitors of the 12th-century shrine.
Police sources said they launched a special drive after receiving credible information about such extortion, and constituted a special team to arrest the culprits.
“These individuals were found to be regularly congregating on Badadanda (Grand Road) and Parikrama road (surrounding the temple), targeting devotees, particularly those from outside Odisha. They were impersonating sevayats (servitors) of the temple by donning traditional attire,” said a senior police officer in Puri.
The police also seized 14 mobile phones and cash worth Rs 20,000 from the 12 accused.
Puri, one of the four dhams according to Hinduism, draws thousands of devotees from across the country to the Jagannath Temple.
The special police team observed these individuals engaging in the crime, including extortion, intimidation and violence, against pilgrims and devotees visiting the temple, police said. The accused would offer to guide devotees during their visit to the temple in exchange for money, and upon refusal, would resort to abusive language and threats, said a statement issued by the police.
The accused were found to be posing as servitors and cheating devotees also by making false promises of performing puja and providing free darshan, while also collecting money forcibly without any authority to do so or providing a receipt, police said.
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“The police team successfully apprehended these individuals after a chase, following which it was established that they had no affiliation with the rituals or traditions of Shri Jagannath Temple,” police said.
The accused were arrested under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including 111 (organised crime), 308 (extortion) and 61 (criminal conspiracy).
The police also said they were committed to maintaining the sanctity and integrity of the Jagannath Temple and its traditions, and warned strict action would be taken against those who indulge in such nefarious activities.
