Trimbakeshwar Temple Trustee Arrested in Illegal Fast Darshan Fee Scam
In a significant development, the Trimbakeshwar police have arrested Purushottam Kadlag, a trustee of the Shri Trimbakeshwar Devasthan Trust, early on Tuesday. This arrest is linked to a cheating case registered on Saturday, which revolves around alleged illegal fast darshan fees at the revered Trimbakeshwar temple, one of the 12 jyotirlingas attracting a continuous flow of pilgrims.
Details of the Cheating Case
The case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ananda Mehandale on Saturday. Mehandale reported that Gotiram Pehere, a resident of Trimbakeshwar, along with his accomplices, charged him Rs 3,000 for a quick darshan at the temple. Although the darshan was facilitated, no official receipt was provided, constituting cheating as the trust did not authorize such private fees.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the police first arrested Pehere. Subsequent investigations uncovered that Pehere collaborated with close family members of Kadlag, specifically his nephews, to exploit the trustee's influence. This group allegedly charged devotees amounts ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000, and sometimes even more, for illegal entry into the temple.
Police Investigation and Arrest
The police established Purushottam Kadlag's direct involvement in the conspiracy, leading to his arrest. A local court has remanded him in police custody until April 20. Superintendent of Police Balasaheb Patil informed reporters that there were reports of agents charging between Rs 3,000 and Rs 12,000 without issuing receipts.
SP Patil elaborated, "Following directions from principal district and sessions judge Rahul Rokade to address illegal darshan practices at the temple, the Nashik rural police conducted a sting operation. This led to the arrest of Pehere and the booking of another person in the cheating case. Subsequently, Purushottam Kadlag was arrested after it was found that he misused his position as a trustee to facilitate illegal entry through a separate gate for those willing to pay large sums."
Current Temple Practices and Ongoing Search
Currently, the temple offers a ‘donation darshan' pass for Rs 200. However, due to massive crowds, even holders of these passes often endure long waiting hours in queues. While Purushottam Kadlag and Gotiram Pehere are in custody, the whereabouts of Kadlag's two nephews remain unknown. The Trimbakeshwar police have launched an extensive search to apprehend them.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by devotees at popular pilgrimage sites and underscores the need for stricter oversight to prevent such fraudulent activities.
