Devotee Detained for Using Hidden Camera Inside Puri Jagannath Temple

Puri: In a breach of temple security, a devotee was detained near the Jagamohan of the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri on Friday after allegedly attempting to capture unauthorized photographs using a hidden camera fitted in his spectacles.

The accused, identified as Bharat Pandya from Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was intercepted by security personnel during a routine check when they noticed the camera-equipped spectacles. He was immediately stopped and questioned by temple security officials.

According to reports, the incident occurred soon after the completion of the Abakash Niti, when a large number of devotees were heading towards the sanctum sanctorum for darshan of the Holy Trinity. The Jagannath Temple Police (JTP) later seized the spectacles and detained Pandya for further interrogation.

Temple sources said this is not the first time a hidden camera has been detected inside the Srimandir premises. Several similar incidents have been reported in the past, but temple authorities have faced challenges in taking strict action due to the absence of stringent legal provisions governing such violations.

Security officials have urged devotees to strictly follow temple regulations and refrain from using any electronic or recording devices within the premises.