Bhubaneswar: Shree Jagannath Temple in Odisha’s Puri has witnessed 10 security breaches with illegal drone flights detected from June 2024 through early 2026.
Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan disclosed the figure in a written reply to the Odisha Assembly on Saturday.
Responding to a question in the House, Harichandan informed that 10 cases have been registered in connection with these unauthorized drone flights, final forms have been submitted in two cases and investigation is underway in the remaining eight.
The temple complex has been declared as a strict no-fly zone by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which designated the area a “Red Zone” in October 2025, banning all drone operations without central government approval until September 2028.
The Minister further revealed that around 700 devotees were caught entering with mobile phones in violation of rules, leading to fines totalling Rs 6.93 lakh. Nine cases were registered at Singhadwar police station with seven disposed of and two still under investigation.
Similarly, eight cases of illegal photography and videography inside the temple or its premises have been registered and investigation is still ongoing in connection with three, he added.
These disclosures come against a backdrop of heightened security measures at the 12th-century shrine, including discussions on anti-drone technology deployment and stricter enforcement to preserve its spiritual and heritage significance.
