The Kandivli police have arrested a 53-year-old city travel agent from Gujarat who allegedly deceived numerous devotees whom he enticed with a low-cost Char Dham Yatra package, which comprised visits to the sacred sites of Badrinath, Dwarka, Jagannath and Rameswaram. The accused, Rajesh Patel, was apprehended on October 30 after an investigation spanning one-and-a-half years. He was reportedly running a tour and travel business, Pavans Tours, in Kandivli for several years.

According to police sources, after seeing advertisements in various newspapers, several devotees—including a 44-year-old teacher—approached Patel and booked a package for 30 people that cost Rs 10.85 lakh. They made an initial deposit of R3.52 lakh, with each individual contributing about R11,000. This transaction took place at his office in Kandivli West on March 22, 2022.