Kochi: The Kerala High Court has directed the Cochin Devaswom Board’s Vigilance Wing to launch a crackdown on fake websites and social media pages posing as official temple platforms to dupe people through online donations and pooja bookings. The court’s order follows rising complaints of digital fraud exploiting the trust and faith of worshippers.
A division bench comprising Justices Anil K. Narendran and Muralee Krishna S. stressed the urgent need for proactive surveillance and swift action against such fraudulent portals. The Devaswom Board has been instructed to identify and block these unauthorized platforms, ensure data security for devotees, and file a detailed report on their vigilance efforts.
The court reiterated that temple donations should be accepted only through sealed coupons or officially approved methods, reaffirming earlier rulings focused on financial transparency. This move aims to preserve the sanctity of online religious services and protect worshippers from potential scams.
