Man impersonating as pony operator nabbed on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track
May 23, 2025
KATRA: In a significant development towards maintaining the sanctity and security of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, Police have apprehended one person on Thursday for impersonating a registered pony carrier and illegally operating on the track without proper authorization in Katra town of Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Police said that during routine patrolling on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track under the jurisdiction of Police Post Banganga, the team, upon reaching near Bathing Ghat, stopped a person engaged in pony carrier activities for verification of credentials.
Upon inquiry, the individual identified himself as Parveen Kumar of Targah, Jammu, and presented a pony card bearing registration number 200417.
However, upon checking the pony card, it was found that the photograph on the card did not match the person carrying it, said police adding that the individual was then asked to produce a valid ID proof and upon presenting his Aadhaar card, his true identity was revealed as Kuldeep Raj of Katyal, Tehsil Chowki Choura, District Jammu.
"The individual was found to be impersonating another person using a forged and unauthorized pony card and was operating without any legitimate permission to ply on the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi track," said police, adding that his actions amount to serious offences under the law.
A case under relevant sections has been registered at Police Station Katra, and further investigation is underway.
The whole operation was led by SHO P S Katra, Inspector Khyatimaan Khajuria, under the supervision of SDPO Katra Dr Bhishm Dubey and SP Katra Vipan Chandran.
