REASI, OCTOBER 20: Reasi Police has busted an alleged fake travel agent racket in Katra with the arrest of a man accused of cheating pilgrims and hoteliers by collecting money for accommodation and tour packages using forged bills in the name of a reputed travel firm.
The case came to light after a hotel supervisor near Matyal Petrol Pump, Katra, lodged a complaint alleging that a person posing as a travel agent had booked rooms for pilgrims but failed to provide accommodation despite collecting money from them.
Accordingly, FIR No. 320/2026 was registered at Police Station Katra under Sections 318(4), 336(3), 340(2) and 338 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and an investigation was initiated.
During the investigation, police found that the accused had allegedly collected money from a family from Uttar Pradesh for a tour package and issued a bill in the name of a travel firm in Katra, despite no longer being associated with it.
A special team of Police Station Katra arrested the accused, identified as Vivek Sharma, son of Gopal Krishan, a resident of Garnai, Udhampur district, from Ambica Chowk, Katra, on October 14.
Police recovered ₹60,000 in cash, several bill books bearing the travel firm’s name and visiting cards allegedly used to gain the trust of pilgrims.
Preliminary investigation suggests that the accused may have cheated other people using a similar modus operandi. He is presently in judicial custody, while further investigation is underway to identify other victims and ascertain the full extent of the alleged fraud.
Reasi Police has advised pilgrims and tourists visiting Katra and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine to remain cautious while booking accommodation and tour packages. They have been urged to verify the credentials of travel agents and use authorised service providers and official portals for bookings and payments.