Police have begun a probe into the incident of a youth taking selfies in the Jagannath temple premises and it being posted on a social media platform, which have gone viral.
The youth has mentioned in his posts to be a Singhari Sevayat.
Eyebrows have been raised as to how mobile phones were allowed in the premises of the high-security temple.
While devotees and even servitors are not allowed to carry mobile phones into the shrine, the youth’s selfie posts have raised questions on the security measures at the temple.
The temple besides having metal detectors at the entrances also has a luggage scanner.
Armed police are on duty round the clock at the four entrances of the temple.
Puri SP Sarthak Sarangi said, “We are investigating if the youth is indeed a sevayat or a visitor because frisking is carried out on all four gates and mobile phones are not allowed. Few days ago we had caught a sevayat’s mobile phone while recording the daily ritual of flag hoisting in the temple and submitted the phone to temple administration.”
“Since we are not able to take any legal action despite frequent breaches, we will discuss with the temple administration to find out if we can carry out action as per 30 Temple Act. In this case also we will try to confiscate the phone and see what action can be taken as per law,” said Sarangi.