India, July 27 -- Just days before the first Monday of the holy Shravan month, Nashik rural police have uncovered a major black-marketing racket involving darshan passes at the renowned Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple, authorities revealed on Saturday. Five individuals were arrested for fraudulently obtaining online darshan passes and reselling them to unsuspecting devotees at exorbitantly inflated prices. The accused have been identified as Dilip Zhole and Sudam Badade, both residents of Pegalwadi Trimbak in Nashik district; Samadhan Chauthe and Manohar Sheware from Rokadwadi, and Shivraj Aher from Trimbakeshwar. Police stated that most of the accused previously worked in shops selling pooja products near the temple.

Given the large number o...