QR coded posters appear at Badrinath-Kedarnath shrines, probe on

DEHRADUN: A major row has erupted in Uttarakhand during its biggest yatra season after prominent QR coded stickers appeared right at the entrance of the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines asking pilgrims to donate money "digitally".
The posters come complete with details about tax deductions that can be availed under Section 80C. No one knows who put them up. Following social media furore, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has filed a complaint with police stationed at Kedarnath and Badrinath.

QR codes were put up at five locations; unidentified persons booked, says SI
A case under IPC section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) has been registered against "unidentified persons".
The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath opened on April 25 and 27 respectively. Pilgrims, who have been visiting the temples in thousands daily since the start of the Char Dham yatra, have complained about the "scam" and demanded from authorities that responsibility be fixed. Pointing to the QR coded posters, one of them said, "Look at them. Anyone can fall prey to it out of devotion."
BKTC chairman Ajendra Ajay told TOI on Monday, "We spotted the QR codes on the opening day and they were removed by our teams. We did an internal inquiry and it was confirmed that BKTC had nothing to do with the matter. In fact, we do not use Paytm in our financial transactions." He pointed out that "some unidentified persons" were behind the move.
Sub inspector Sumit Khugshal, posted at Badrinath police station, confirmed that a case has been registered against unidentified persons on Monday.
He said, "In fact, such QR codes were put up at five different locations, including two at Singhdwar, one each at the main gate and VIP gate, of the shrine. It is too early to speak about the amount which may have been transferred online."
He added: "SI Laxmi Prasad Bijilwan has been made the investigating officer in this case."