In a significant operation to protect devotees and uphold the sanctity of the Shree Jagannath Temple, Puri Police arrested 12 individuals posing as temple sevayats on August 9 and 10, 2025.
The accused were involved in extorting money from pilgrims, particularly non-Odiyas, by impersonating Sevayats and offering unauthorised darshan services. The arrests were made following credible intelligence and a targeted operation led by a special police team under the supervision of the Puri Superintendent of Police.
The arrested accused, identified as Pradeep Kumar Behera, Balaram Badapanda, Mahima Prasad Baral, Manoranjan Sahoo, Jagannath Dash, Arjun Prusty, Jagannath Mishra, Maheswar Das, Santosh Rout, Sonu Das, Pradeep Kumar Tripathy, and Sagar Rath, were found congregating on Badadanda and Parikrama Road. Dressed in traditional attire, they targeted unsuspecting devotees, promising to guide them through the temple or perform pujas for a fee. Upon refusal, the accused resorted to abusive language, threats, and intimidation, creating a hostile environment for pilgrims.
The police operation resulted in the seizure of 14 mobile phones and Rs. 20,000 in cash, along with other items. The accused have been charged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including 111(2)(b), 111(4), 111(6), 308(4), and 61(2), and have been forwarded to the court. Investigations revealed that the individuals had no legitimate affiliation with the temple’s rituals or administration.
