Uttarakhand Police arrested a 31-year-old man from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh for posing as an IRCTC agent and collecting money for fake VIP darshan access at Kedarnath.
The suspect allegedly convinced pilgrims that he could arrange privileged temple entry through fraudulent bookings tied to the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation brand. Officers took him into custody after complaints surfaced about payments for services that were never delivered.
Kedarnath draws massive seasonal crowds of devotees trekking to the Himalayan shrine, creating opportunities for scammers targeting the faithful. Police warned travellers to verify agents through official channels before transferring money for darshan arrangements.
The arrest followed coordination between Uttarakhand investigators and information linking the accused to Mandi district in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Fraud cases involving religious pilgrimage have prompted periodic public advisories during peak yatra months.
Victims who paid the suspect may be called to record statements as evidence is compiled for prosecution. Authorities continue monitoring online and offline networks that exploit pilgrims seeking shorter queues at Kedarnath.
Investigators are tracing bank transfers from complainants to accounts the accused controlled before his arrest in the Mandi-linked operation. Temple authorities periodically issue official price lists for legitimate services to help pilgrims distinguish authorized arrangements from fraudulent offers.
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Sources:
https://www.news9live.com/india/breaking-news-headlines-today-11-06-2026-updates-in-english-india-world-politics-crime-2979081