Bhubaneswar: Spy security concerns at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri have intensified following a series of incidents involving hidden spy cameras concealed within spectacles. In the latest development, a youth from West Bengal was detained today for attempting to enter the temple premises with a miniature camera embedded in his eyewear. This breach occurred just hours after a similar incident involving a visitor from Gujarat came to light, underscoring serious vulnerabilities in the temple’s surveillance and security protocols.
The individual, identified as Pratish Pal from Paschim Bardhaman district, West Bengal, was intercepted by security personnel near the Paschima Dwara (West Gate) of the temple. Upon inspection, his spectacles were found to conceal a tiny camera. Along with his mobile phone, these items were seized for further investigation. Pal has been taken into custody for questioning, as authorities look to ascertain the intent and possible extent of unauthorised recordings.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another security lapse on August 4, when Bipul Patel, a native of Gujarat, was caught near the Kirtana Chakada area attempting to enter the temple with camera-equipped glasses. Suspicious behavior prompted temple security to conduct a search, which revealed a hidden camera embedded in Patel’s eyewear. He was promptly detained for interrogation.
Such incidents are not isolated to these two cases. Approximately a week ago, a local devotee, Abhijit Kar, was stopped during routine security checks. Kar admitted to using a concealed camera in his spectacles to record visuals of the temple interiors and deities, contravening strict prohibitions against photography inside the shrine. Following deletion of the footage and submission of a written undertaking, Kar was released.
These successive breaches within a designated high-security zone have sparked widespread outrage among devotees and have raised pressing questions about the effectiveness of the temple’s existing frisking and surveillance mechanisms. The Shree Jagannath Temple, being a historic 12th-century shrine, enforces stringent rules that prohibit photography and the use of mobile phones inside its sanctum. However, repeated violations reveal challenges faced by authorities in enforcing these regulations.
Law Minister Harichandan Issues Stern Warning
In light of the escalating security risks, Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan has issued a stern warning against the use of hidden cameras in the temple. He acknowledged the challenges faced by security staff in detecting these devices but emphasized that any individual caught attempting unauthorized photography within the temple premises will face strict legal action. “The increasing use of spy cameras disguised as spectacles poses a serious security challenge. We are actively reviewing the situation and will strengthen security protocols to prevent such breaches. Those caught violating temple rules will be dealt with firmly,” the Minister stated.
As the authorities take steps to address these security lapses, the emphasis remains on safeguarding the sanctity and privacy of one of India’s most significant pilgrimage sites while ensuring a secure and respectful environment for all devotees.
