Umar Raina
Ganderbal, June 5: In a significant action ahead of the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, Ganderbal Police have arrested a man posing as a government employee and duping vendors and service providers on the promise of facilitating access to the holy cave shrine.
An official said the accused had allegedly been moving around the Domail area, falsely projecting himself as an official associated with arrangements on the Shri Amarnath Yatra route. Taking advantage of the upcoming pilgrimage season, he is suspected to have approached visiting vendors and service providers, assuring them of smooth passage and special facilitation to the cave shrine in exchange for money.
According to police, credible inputs were received on May 27 regarding the activities of the suspect. Acting on the information, police launched an inquiry and subsequently registered a case at Police Station Sonamarg under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
During the course of investigation, the accused was identified as Mohammad Ayob Jara, son of Abdul Rehman Jara, a resident of Androola in Poonch district.
Police said that after sustained efforts, the accused was apprehended during a late-evening operation on June 3. Investigators are now examining whether more people were cheated through the alleged scheme and if any wider network was involved.
Officials have urged pilgrims, vendors and service providers associated with the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra to remain vigilant and avoid dealing with unauthorized individuals claiming to offer special permissions, facilitation or official services in return for money.
Police reiterated that all Yatra-related permissions and services are processed only through designated authorities and advised the public to immediately report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station. Further investigation into the case is underway.