Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly was informed that the sacred premises of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri have witnessed multiple security violations over the past several months, including illegal drone activity and unauthorised entry of devotees carrying mobile phones.
Replying to a question in the House, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan stated in a written response that drones have illegally flown over the temple premises 10 times between June 2024 and the present. Of these 10 incidents, final forms have been submitted in two cases, while investigations are currently underway in the remaining eight cases.
The Minister further informed that as many as 700 individuals were found to have entered the temple premises carrying mobile phones in violation of restrictions. In connection with these violations, authorities have collected fines amounting to Rs 6.93 lakh. Nine cases have been registered at Singhadwar Police Station. Out of these, seven cases have been disposed of, while investigation is ongoing in two cases.
Addressing concerns over the illegal capturing and circulation of photos and videos from inside the temple premises on social media platforms, the Minister said eight cases have been registered at Singhadwar Police Station. Investigations have been completed in five of these cases, while three cases remain under investigation.
The disclosures highlight continuing challenges in enforcing security norms at the 12th-century shrine, where the use of electronic devices and aerial surveillance tools is strictly prohibited to maintain sanctity and security.
