Bhubaneswar: Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri on Tuesday saw a second security breach within 12 hours.
After last evening’s incident, involving a man from Gujarat, a devotee from West Bengal’s Paschim Bardhaman, Partish Pal, was detained this morning while allegedly attempting to enter the shrine from the west gate with a hidden camera embedded in his spectacles. He is currently in custody of Singhadwar police, who have seized the specs. The accused was also asked to deposit his mobile phone.
The 12th-century shrine strictly prohibits mobile phones and cameras within its premises.
This is the third such incident in a week. While a local youth, Abhishit Kar, was caught clicking pictures inside the temple, using a pair of cameras attached to his spectacles on July 29, temple security personnel intercepted one Vipul Patel from Gujarat near ‘Kirtana Chakada’ area and found a hidden camera embedded in his spectacles.
On March 15, police had also arrested a West Bengal tourist for photographing the deities with a spy camera and booked under BNS for deliberately committing acts that hurt religious sentiments and Section 30 A (4) (C) of Shree Jagannath Temple Act, which bars cameras in the temple.
The Temple Act stipulates up to two months of imprisonment and a Rs 1,000 penalty for violations.
Stricter screening protocols likely
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated that the government is taking the issue seriously and will soon implement stricter screening protocols. Individuals trying to secretly capture temple photos will be penalised, he added.
According to police sources, detecting cameras hidden in glasses at entry gates has become challenging.
Puri SP Pinak Mishra said that security personnel deployed around Srimandir are keeping a strict vigil to curb this practice. “The security personnel acted before the accused could capture pictures inside the temple premises using spy cameras in their spectacles. They were let go after a warning,” he said.
The SP further stated that a special SOP will be introduced to enhance security at the 12th-century shrine. “If necessary, metal detectors will also be installed. Discussions have been held with the temple administration to bring a law to put a stop to it,” he added.
