In yet another security breach at the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri, a drone was spotted flying over the Shree Mandir premises on Wednesday afternoon. Prompt action by local authorities led to the seizure of the drone and the detention of a 25-year-old man from Cuttack.
According to reports, the incident occurred in broad daylight, raising fresh concerns about the enforcement of the no-fly zone around the historic temple. Superintendent of Police (SP) Prateek Singh, upon receiving information about the unauthorised drone flight, immediately directed the Singhadwar police station to intervene. A special team from the station conducted a swift search operation and confiscated the drone from the Jhanimundia Chak area.
The detained individual has been identified as Madhusudan Sarangi. Police have taken him into custody for questioning to ascertain his motives and any potential accomplices. Preliminary investigations suggest that Shadangi was operating the drone, though details about whether any footage was captured remain unclear.
The Jagannath Temple, one of India’s most sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites, has been designated as a restricted area for drone operations due to security and privacy concerns. Despite strict prohibitions, similar incidents have occurred multiple times in the past, with drones being used to film the temple and its surroundings. Authorities have repeatedly warned against such violations, but enforcement challenges persist.
