To safeguard devotees and uphold the sanctity of Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri police arrested 12 individuals on Monday for impersonating temple sevayats and extorting money from pilgrims.
The arrests followed a coordinated operation by Singhadwar and Town police stations, prompted by credible intelligence and surveillance.
According to officials, the accused—posing in traditional servitor attire—frequented Bada Danda and the Parikrama path, where they approached non-Odia visitors with offers of guided temple access. When refused, they allegedly resorted to threats, verbal abuse, and physical intimidation.
A dedicated surveillance team, formed by the Puri SP, monitored the suspects for two days before executing simultaneous raids. All 12 were taken into custody without incident and have been forwarded to court.
The crackdown has drawn praise from local authorities and devotees alike, who have long voiced concerns over such fraudulent practices tarnishing the temple’s reputation.
