Jammu and Kashmir Police have apprehended a man in Katra town for allegedly perpetrating fraud against both pilgrims and local hoteliers, specifically targeting those visiting the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. The arrest, made on October 14, is part of a broader effort to curb deceptive practices that prey on devotees undertaking their spiritual journeys.
The accused, identified as Vivek Sharma, a resident of Garnai village in Udhampur district, is alleged to have collected substantial sums of money from pilgrims under the guise of arranging accommodation and tour packages. According to a police spokesman, Sharma issued bills bearing the name of a well-established travel firm without possessing any authorization from the company. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that this scheme came to light following a formal complaint lodged at the Katra police station by the supervisor of a local hotel.
The hotel supervisor reported that Sharma, posing as a legitimate travel agent, had booked rooms for a group of pilgrims. However, after fraudulently collecting the full payment for these bookings, he failed to provide the promised accommodations, leaving the pilgrims stranded and the hotel without confirmed payment. This act of deception prompted immediate action from the authorities.
Promptly responding to the complaint, the Katra Police Station registered a case under the relevant sections of the law and initiated a thorough investigation into the matter. During the preliminary stages of the inquiry, it was uncovered that Sharma had specifically targeted a family of pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, collecting money from them for a tour package. As part of his fraudulent activities, he provided them with a bill slip that bore the name of a prominent travel firm operating in Katra, despite no longer being associated with that company. This detail underscores the calculated nature of his alleged deception.
A specialized police team was constituted by the Katra Police Station to pursue the case. Through sustained efforts, the utilization of all available resources, and the incorporation of technical assistance, the team successfully located and arrested the accused at Ambica Chowk in Katra. The arrest marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice.
Further investigation into Sharma’s activities revealed that he was in possession of Rs 60,000 in cash at the time of his arrest. Additionally, law enforcement officials recovered several bill books and visiting cards that bore the name of the travel firm he had impersonated. These materials, according to the police spokesman, were allegedly used by Sharma to cultivate trust among unsuspecting pilgrims and hoteliers, thereby facilitating his fraudulent schemes. The presence of these items points to a well-rehearsed modus operandi.
The investigation conducted thus far indicates that the accused may have defrauded numerous other individuals using a similar pattern of deception. The police are actively working to uncover the full scope of his alleged fraudulent activities and to identify any other potential victims who may have fallen prey to his schemes. This ongoing investigation aims to ensure that all those affected by Sharma’s actions are accounted for and that justice is served.
In light of this incident, the police have issued an advisory to all visitors planning to travel to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. They strongly urge pilgrims to exercise caution and to book hotels, helicopter tickets, and tour packages exclusively through authorized service providers and official websites. The authorities emphasized the critical importance of verifying the credentials and legitimacy of any travel agent or service provider before making any financial commitments. This proactive measure is intended to safeguard pilgrims from falling victim to similar fraudulent schemes in the future and to ensure a safe and secure pilgrimage experience.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.