Cops catch resident using spy camera in Puri temple
Some police personnel first spotted Abhijit Kar using his mobile phone during early morning 'Mangala Alati' ritual. Upon verification, they found footage of the shrine's interior on his phone.
Following this, Kar was taken to Singhadwar police station for interrogation, where he admitted to recording footage through a spy camera concealed within the frame of his spectacles. Police removed the recorded content from his mobile phone and released him after securing a written undertaking.
Temple servitors criticised the police's lenient approach. "On March 15, police authorities arrested a West Bengal tourist for photographing the deities with a spy camera. However, no action was taken in this case. These incidents occur frequently. We require stringent legislation to address the issue," said servitor Shyama Mahapatra, adding, "The latest incident reflects poor security checking at the temple entrance as the suspect's mobile phone could not be detected by cops.
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The Bengal tourist had faced charges under BNS for deliberately committing acts that hurt religious sentiments. He was also booked under 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.
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