Fresh concerns have emerged over the security arrangements at PuriSrimandir in Odisha after two separate incidents involving a disguised devotee and another carrying a hidden camera were reported on Friday. 

In the first incident, a devotee from Jajpur, identified as Shankar, reportedly entered the sanctum sanctorum disguised as a servitor. 

It was learnt that he entered after the Gopal Ballabha ritual and allegedly touched the sanctum sanctorum and the Ratna Singhasan. He was detained and is being questioned by the police at the time of reporting, said sources.

Devotee From Ahmedabad Caught With Spy Camera

In a separate case, another devotee, identified as Bharat Pandya from Ahmedabad in Gujarat, was caught wearing spectacles fitted with a hidden camera inside the temple. The Jagannath Temple Police detained him near the Jagamohan temple and took him for questioning at the Singhadwara police station. 

During the darshan inside the Jagamohan after the reopening of the temple, temple authorities noticed the device and immediately detained the devotee.

Reports suggest that when he was attempting to take pictures, the police personnel spotted him and detained him on the spot. He was first taken to the Garada and then questioned inside the office within the temple premises before being handed over to the Singhadwara police. 

Officials have not released any pictures of the accused so far.

Police Confirm Action Under Temple Act

Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh said, “Bharat Pandya visited from Ahmedabad, and when temple servitors found him suspicious, they discovered a spy camera on him during checking. His phone and the device have been seized by Singhadwaraa Police under the Temple Act.”

He added, “This is not the first case involving hidden cameras. We conduct detailed investigations to determine how individuals manage to bring such devices inside the temple.”

On the case involving the disguised devotee, Singh said, “It is not possible for our police personnel to recognise every temple worker as police personnel work on rotation.”

Security Measures Under Review

Recently, Dr Girish Chandra Murmu, Head of the Security Sub-Committee of Puri Srimandir, chaired a meeting to discuss ways to strengthen temple security, particularly focusing on identifying and preventing the use of hidden cameras.

Also Read: Another security breach at Puri Jagannath Temple; Kolkata man detained with hidden camera glasses

However, despite repeated incidents, concerns remain that in the absence of stricter enforcement, such violations continue to occur inside the temple premises.