Probe ordered into Amarnath lingam

The J&K Governor ordered probe into allegations of man-made ice-lingam.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor SK Sinha on Thursday ordered a probe by a retired High Court judge into allegations of a man-made ice-lingam inside the Amarnath cave shrine.

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Sinha, who is also the chairman of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, appointed Justice KK Gupta to probe allegations of "piling of snow in place of the naturally formed ice-lingam inside the cave on June 7," board spokesman Madan Mantoo said.

The probe had been ordered after the Governor consulted state chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mantoo said adding that it follows a preliminary probe into the issue by Amarnath board CEO Arun Kumar.

Justice Gupta will submit a report on the issue to the Governor within a month, he said.

He would also look into complaints of overcharging by shopkeepers and pony operators along the pilgrimage route, Mantoo added.