Odisha: Gang selling fake Covid-19 negative reports for Puri Jagannath darshan busted

BHUBANESWAR: The Puri police on Friday busted a fraud syndicate involved in the sale of fake Covid-19 RT-PCR negative reports to devotees to ensure their hassle-free entry in the famous Jagannath temple.
Either an RT-PCR negative report obtained 96 hours before the temple visit or double dose vaccination certificate is mandatory for devotees to offer prayers inside the 12th-century shrine.
“We have arrested 12 persons, including four devotees in connection with the offence. While the four devotees belonged to different states, the eight accused are from Puri. We appeal to devotees to carry genuine vaccination or Covid-19 negative reports,” Puri SP, Kanwar Vishal Singh said.
Police said the gang members targeted tourists, who were denied entry into the temple for not carrying either of the mandatory documents. The accused lured the devotees into their trap and charged Rs 500 for each fake RT-PCR negative report.
“We sealed a computer shop where the accused were making the fake reports. They collected original Aadhaar cards of the devotees and printed fake RT-PCR reports instantly. We came across a few fake reports recently and started the investigation,” Singh said.
Police said names of some Covid-19 testing laboratories and hospitals in Bhubaneswar and Puri were misused and printed on the fake reports. The police had sent a copy of the seized reports to the concerned testing centres. During verification, the reports were found to be forged.
“We registered a total of three cases—two at Singhadwar police station and one at Khumbharapada police station. We are likely to arrest some more persons. Due to the sensitivity of the case, we have not disclosed the identities of the accused. We will try to find out the exact number of fake reports sold by them,” Singh said.
The police have stepped up their vigil at the kiosks outside the temple. Cops have been asked to properly verify the requisite documents of the devotees before allowing them entry to the temple.
Shut since April 24 when the second wave of Covid-19 hit home, the temple opened its doors in a staggered manner to servitors and their immediate families on August 12 and 13. Subsequently, only the residents of Puri urban locality were allowed inside the shrine from August 16 to 20. The temple reopened for all on August 23.
Altogether 1,29,174 devotees have caught a glimpse of the deities inside the temple so far from August 23.
Inspired By