Puri News Update / Drone Spotted Close To Jagannath Temple Airspace, 25-Year-Old Man From Karnataka Detained
·1 month ago·2 min read
Key Points
- A 25-year-old man from Karnataka was detained for allegedly flying a drone over Puri's Jagannath Temple, a designated no-fly zone.
- Police tracked the drone's movement and apprehended the operator near the temple's North Gate; the drone was seized.
- A case has been registered; authorities reiterate strict surveillance to prevent unauthorised aerial activity.
Puri, Feb 12: Despite strict restrictions on drone operations around the Jagannath Temple, a 25-year-old youth from Karnataka was detained by Puri Police on Thursday evening for allegedly attempting to fly a drone over the temple premises, our source from the ground informed.
The youth was identified as Abhyuday Sinha, a resident of Karnataka.
According to police sources, information reached Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh around 5 pm that a drone was being operated in the prohibited airspace above the temple. Acting on the SP’s direction, special teams from SSMSV and Singhadwar Police Station were immediately mobilised.
Drone Activity Tracked, Accused Apprehended
Two police teams tracked the drone’s movement and followed its trajectory. During further verification, the drone’s location was identified near Panda Gali in front of the temple’s North Gate.
Police conducted a swift raid in the area and apprehended the operator. The drone was seized from his possession.
As the Jagannath temple area has been declared a “No Flying Zone”, drone operations are completely prohibited in and around the temple premises owing to security concerns. Police officials reiterated that strict surveillance is being maintained to prevent any such unauthorised aerial activity.
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A case has been registered at Singhadwar Police Station, and further investigation is underway, police informed.
Aerial Pics Went Viral 50 Days Ago
This incident comes after drone-captured photographs of the 12th-century shrine went viral on social media in December, 2025. The images, posted by a group named ‘Explore India’ on Facebook, quickly gained traction as thousands of users shared and reposted them.
The viral photos reveal the grand Bada Deula (main temple) along with several subsidiary shrines of deities situated within the Kurma Bedha. Even the historic structures inside the Meghanada Pacheri are clearly visible in the aerial shots.
The youth was identified as Abhyuday Sinha, a resident of Karnataka.
According to police sources, information reached Puri Superintendent of Police Prateek Singh around 5 pm that a drone was being operated in the prohibited airspace above the temple. Acting on the SP’s direction, special teams from SSMSV and Singhadwar Police Station were immediately mobilised.
Drone Activity Tracked, Accused Apprehended
Two police teams tracked the drone’s movement and followed its trajectory. During further verification, the drone’s location was identified near Panda Gali in front of the temple’s North Gate.
Police conducted a swift raid in the area and apprehended the operator. The drone was seized from his possession.
As the Jagannath temple area has been declared a “No Flying Zone”, drone operations are completely prohibited in and around the temple premises owing to security concerns. Police officials reiterated that strict surveillance is being maintained to prevent any such unauthorised aerial activity.
Also Read: Groom Walks to Wedding amid Road Blockade in Bhubaneswar
A case has been registered at Singhadwar Police Station, and further investigation is underway, police informed.
Aerial Pics Went Viral 50 Days Ago
This incident comes after drone-captured photographs of the 12th-century shrine went viral on social media in December, 2025. The images, posted by a group named ‘Explore India’ on Facebook, quickly gained traction as thousands of users shared and reposted them.
The viral photos reveal the grand Bada Deula (main temple) along with several subsidiary shrines of deities situated within the Kurma Bedha. Even the historic structures inside the Meghanada Pacheri are clearly visible in the aerial shots.
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