SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Jammu and Kashmir police in Jammu have successfully dismantled a racket involved in the production and sale of counterfeit yatra registration slips for the Amarnath Yatra. The prime suspect, along with two accomplices, has been apprehended by law enforcement authorities.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu, Chandan Kohli, an investigation was launched after the administration discovered that several devotees possessed fraudulent registration slips during the examination of yatra registration documents. Consequently, a case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at Trikuta Nagar Police Station (FIR 188/2023), and a dedicated team from the concerned Police Station, led by SDPO East under the guidance of SP Jammu South, was entrusted with the task of probing the matter.
The investigation unveiled that a man from Delhi was operating the illicit operation, involved in the production of counterfeit registration slips. Acting swiftly, the Jammu Police raided the suspect’s location in Delhi and successfully apprehended him along with two associates. The primary accused has been identified as Harender Verma, son of Devinder Verma from West Rohtas Nagar, Shahadara, Delhi, while the other individuals involved have been identified as Daleep Prajapati, son of Hari Chand, and Vinod Kumar, son of Jagan Nath.
SSP Jammu, Chandan Kohli, revealed that the main accused was responsible for the production of fake registration slips, whereas the two associates facilitated the arrangement of bus services and medical certificates for the devotees. The police seized a computer and a printer, which were employed in the commission of the crime, during the raid in Delhi.
The detection of the racket has left around 300 devotees stranded at the Jammu base camp after their travel agents issued them fake permits, prohibiting them from proceeding on the pilgrimage. Desperate to continue their journey to the cave shrine, these pilgrims have sought assistance from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, imploring him to consider their unique circumstances and allow them to proceed with the yatra.
Moreover, it has come to light that over 430 Amarnath pilgrims were found in possession of counterfeit registration permits in Jammu, Kathua, and Samba districts on Friday. The affected devotees have expressed frustration and uncertainty as their pleas for assistance have largely gone unanswered.
