Duplicate entry passes issued to devotees at Lingaraj Temple!

Bhubaneswar: In a major lapse during the Mahashivratri rituals today, some devotees allegedly entered the Lingaraj Temple by using duplicate entry passes. The matter came to light after police today nabbed some pass holders trying to sneak into the temple by producing duplicate passes.

As per reports, a group of miscreants helped some devotees enter the temple with fake passes in exchange of money. Police became suspicious after some devotees showed passes bearing similar serial numbers. Signature of the Endowment Commissioner was also forged on the passes, informed sources.

"This year the Endowment Commissioner has put his signature on the entry passes so that the original could be distinguished. Police have been given the power to remove the duplicate pass holders from temple," said Pradeep Kumar Sahu, Executive officer, Lingaraj Temple.

“I will discuss the issues with the temple trust board,” he added.