In a concerted effort to curb the menace of unauthorized priests, guides, and middlemen operating around the Kashi Vishwanath Dham, the Varanasi police have made significant arrests. These individuals were found to be cheating pilgrims by promising them the coveted 'Sparsh Darshan' (touching the deity) at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. On Sunday, the police apprehended 23 offenders in the Chowk area and four in the Dashaswamedh region.
Background of the Crackdown
ACP (Dashashwamedh) Atul Anjan Tripathi revealed that the crackdown was initiated following numerous complaints from pilgrims who were duped and ill-treated by these illegal operators. The victims reported being harassed when they refused to avail of the services that promised Sparsh Darshan. To address these grievances, newly inducted police personnel were deployed to identify and track these operators.
The police teams closely followed the suspects, who would approach devotees from around the globe with offers of Sparsh Darshan. After receiving payment, these operators would often flee, leaving the pilgrims cheated and disappointed.
Police Action on Sunday
Acting on intelligence, the police launched a coordinated operation on Sunday morning. In the Chowk police station area, 23 individuals were arrested, while four were taken into custody within the jurisdiction of the Dashashwamedh police station. The accused have been booked under various charges, including wrongful restraint and bribery.
Awareness Campaigns and Previous Arrests
To educate pilgrims about these fraudulent activities, the police have installed warning boards along the route from the temple to Nandi Chowk and Maidagin. These boards display a helpline number for devotees to report any illegal operators. Following this initiative, many pilgrims have called the number to report suspicious individuals.
Prior to Sunday's action, the police had already arrested 26 persons in Chowk and 22 in Dashashwamedh in previous operations. This sustained effort underscores the commitment of the Varanasi police to protect pilgrims from exploitation.
Additional Information
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About the Author: Rajeev Dikshit reports from Varanasi, covering a wide range of topics across 10 districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh. With expertise in political, legal, crime, and developmental stories, he also explores religious, cultural, sports, lifestyle, and business narratives. He enjoys writing features and long-form articles, providing comprehensive and insightful coverage to his readers.
