FRAUD Alert! This Website Charged Rs 51 To Indians, $11 To Foreigners For 'Free Ram Mandir Prasad'

A website disguised as 'Khadi Organic' has looted not only Indian customers but also foreigners in the name of Ram Mandir, offering them free prasad but charging them for delivery. It has been brought to the notice of the Delhi High Court who then passed an interim order, restraining certain private parties from using the platform. The action is called fraudulent.

The fake website charged a delivery fee of Rs 51 to Indian customers, and $11 to foreigners for providing free Ram Mandir prasad and merchandise. Many who fell victim to this website have complained about not receiving their order on social media platforms.

As per Bar and Bench, Justice Sanjeev Narula passed the order on January 18 after being told that the defendants were misusing the goodwill and name of the Khadi Commission to secure donations and make fraudulent promises to supply "free Ram Mandir Prasad" on the payment of a delivery charge as well as Ram Mandir-related collectables.

The case was filed by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (plaintiff).

The Delhi court found out that the defendants attempted to monopolise the Ram Mandir consecration event, by preying on the public's religious beliefs and devotion" and by misusing the Khadi Commission's goodwill, the report said.

Hence, the Delhi court directed these defendants to stop their operations and suspend the website - www.khadiorganic.com. They were also asked to take down the social media posts where they promoted, the offering of free 'Ram Mandir Prasad' along with merchandise Pran Pratishta that was inaugurated on January 22. These social media promotions were done on platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.

What is observed is that the defendants who promoted free 'Ram Mandir Prasad' and merchandise have most likely obtained money on fake promises. The court was also told that the fake website did not even provide a confirmation receipt or proof of dispatch of merchandise orders.

Accordingly, the court was informed that many customers have complained and warned about the website, as they too had placed their orders but did not receive their products. The Khadi Commission also said that they placed the order for such merchandise but did not receive them.

Hence, the Court concluded that the plaintiff has been able to provide a prima facie case in their favour.

It needs to be noted that the defendants of the website had hosted a live session on the Youtube platform on January 14 where they clarified saying their platform was not overseen by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust which is the trust set up for the construction and management of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya by the Government of India in February 2020.

But during that live session, the defendants did reveal that they received up to 20 lakh orders.

The Bar and Bench report further revealed that after the Khadi Commission made further inquiries, it was found that one of the defendants had also filed a trademark application on January 13, 2024, to get rights over the mark "KHADI ORGANIC."

Ram Mandir Prana Pratishtha, the consecration ceremony of the Ram Mandir took place on January 22. It has been widely celebrated across the country with devotees. For the preparation of Pran Prathista, the Uttar Pradesh government earmarked approximately Rs 100 crore for 'Ramotsav,' a series of religious events that was spread across 826 local bodies across Uttar Pradesh and the Ram Paduka Yatra. The statue of Shri Ram was revealed for the first time on January 19.