Fake Receipt Scam Rocks Puri Jagannath Temple, Sevak Suspended
Puri: The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) has suspended Chhatar Sevak Ranjit Kar after he was found guilty of issuing a forged receipt to a devotee.
The incident came to light when Bijendra Kedia, a devotee from Hyderabad, was misled into paying Rs 5,600 for permission to hoist the ritual flag (Bana) atop the temple’s sacred Neelachakra.
Upon verification, the receipt was confirmed to be fake and not issued by the temple office. Kar admitted to the misconduct during questioning, but his explanation failed to satisfy the temple authorities.
As a result, he has been suspended for six months and barred from performing any temple duties.
The SJTA has also warned him against bribing, luring, or intimidating fellow sevaks during his suspension.
Temple officials stressed that such fraudulent practices undermine the sanctity of rituals and erode devotee trust.
The swift disciplinary action reflects SJTA’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and safeguarding the temple’s spiritual traditions.
