Fraud In Name Of Lord Jagannath: Singhadwara Police Writes To SJTA On Utsav Mobile App

Puri: The Singhadwar police in Odisha’s Puri has written to Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, asking it to submit a report ascertaining the veracity of an online platform, Utsav, which allegedly claimed to facilitate online pujas at Shree Jagannath Temple and home deliver ‘prasad’.

A case will be registered if required, it said. 

Servitors of the 12th century shrine had warned devotees against falling prey to such fraudulent websites as no online booking for pujas is entrained here through any third party agency.

The app, co-founded in 2021 by a Kolkata-based company, had advertised booking for online prayers, Atika Bandha (crown tying ritual), Naam Gotra Sankalp and Bhwaja Bandha, to the sibling deities on June 27 and the services could be availed by those unable to visit the pilgrim town during Rath Yatra for Rs 1,000.

The online platform also claimed that it delivered special Mahaprasad and dry prasad like khaja, gaja and sweets at the house of the devotees, who booked for the pujas.

A local channel reported that the company charged Rs 4,500 to offer ‘Bhoga’ to the Lord atop the chariot and Rs 2,401 for a special puja at Srimandir, Rs 2151 and Rs 801 for ‘Dhwaja Bandha’ and ‘Nama and Gotra Sankalpa’ respectively.

Interestingly, the fake online platform charged Rs 11,501 for the non-existent ‘Atika Bandha’ ritual.

The company also has been collecting money from several devotees on a monthly basis as a donation for Srimandir and with the promise of offering puja. Around 3,700 devotees had allegedly transferred different amounts for conducting different rituals at Srimandir, the report added.

Members of Jagannath Sena also staged a protest in front of Gundicha temple on Friday, demanding stern action against the fraudsters. The outfit also lodged a police complaint.