Police said the fake passes resembled the original free special passes issued by the district administration to special guests.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Three persons were arrested near Arunachaleswarar temple in Tiruvannamalai on Wednesday for selling fake car parking passes to devotees to park vehicles inside the town on Maha Deepam (December 3) day.
The arrested persons were identified as K. Silambarasan, 30, a temple staffer, R. Babu, 44, and G. Munusamy, 39. Silambarasan printed fake special passes and distributed them to devotees, especially from neighbouring States like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to park their vehicles near the temple inside the town. Each pass was sold between ₹200 and ₹500.
Police said the fake passes resembled the original free special passes issued by the district administration to special guests, including senior government officials and elected representatives, to park their vehicles at designated car parking lots. Police said the existing temporary car parking is located far away from the town, making it difficult for devotees, especially senior citizens and women, to walk to the temple for darshan on Maha Deepam day.
Based on a tip-off, Tiruvannamalai East police searched the Yatri Nivas accommodation complex in the town and found fake special passes with the suspects. A case was registered, and the arrested persons were lodged at a sub-jail in the town. Further probe is under way.
Published – December 03, 2025 11:56 pm IST
