10 Arrested For Selling Fake RT-PCR Report To Devotees For Entering Puri Jagannath Temple

Puri: Police here on Friday busted a gang, which was allegedly selling fake COVID RT-PCR negative reports to devotees for hassle-free entry into Jagannath Temple, with the arrest of 10 persons.

According to police sources, the arrested include four devotees and the mastermind of the racket. They used to charge between Rs 500 and Rs 700 for a fake RT-PCR report.

“Their modus operandi is being investigated,” Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh told the media.

Notably, it is mandatory for devotees to produce an RT-PCR negative report obtained 96 hours or a fully vaccinated certificate to gain entry into the 12th-century shrine.

The temple had reopened for devotees on August 23 after almost a gap of over four months to contain the spread of COVID during the second wave.

Meanwhile, the temple administration has decided to keep the shrine open for devotees from next Saturday (September 18). The timings for darshan will be 7 am to 9 pm after it opens again after Ganesh Puja and the weekend restrictions on Monday.

Also Read: Puri Jagannath Temple To Remain Closed For 3 Days