Puri Police arrested 11 people in five days for allegedly taking money from devotees to arrange darshan of Lord Jagannath inside the Shree Jagannath Temple.
The arrests followed multiple complaints of individuals demanding payment for facilitating entry into the shrine.
According to police, one person was arrested after a case was registered at the Singhadwar Police Station. Investigators found that the accused collected money from devotees near the temple gates, promising quick access to the sanctum.
Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said the darshan of Lord Jagannath is completely free and urged devotees not to fall prey to such fraudulent claims. He stated that strict action will continue against anyone exploiting pilgrims for money.
Police intensified surveillance around the temple and deployed additional personnel to prevent similar incidents. Officers are monitoring entry points and coordinating with temple administration to ensure smooth and transparent darshan for all visitors.
Authorities appealed to devotees to report any suspicious activity near the temple premises.
