Unauthorised Websites Allegedly Charged Up to ₹5,000 for Government Service Costing ₹250
The Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) has lodged a police complaint against several websites accused of allegedly charging bereaved families thousands of rupees for booking cremation slots at government-operated electric crematoriums, despite the officially prescribed fee being only ₹250.
The complaint follows reports from multiple citizens who informed civic officials that they had paid between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 through private websites to secure cremation appointments that should have been available at the government-approved tariff.
Civic Officials Suspect Unauthorised Online Intermediaries
According to BNCC officials, the alleged irregularities surfaced after grieving families arriving at crematoriums disclosed that they had already paid substantial amounts online for booking confirmations.
Following preliminary verification, authorities suspect that several unauthorised websites were operating as intermediaries, collecting excessive payments while creating the impression that they were official booking platforms.
Officials allege that these platforms exploited citizens during emotionally vulnerable situations by charging significantly higher amounts than the government-prescribed fee.
Official Cremation Charges Fixed at ₹250
The Bengaluru North City Corporation manages two electric crematoriums located at Hebbal and Medi Agrahara.
Officials clarified that cremation charges at these facilities are fixed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) at ₹250 per booking slot.
Authorities stated that no private website has been authorised to collect inflated booking fees on behalf of the civic body.
Citizens have been advised to verify official booking portals before making online payments for public services.
Police Complaint Names Multiple Websites
Rajendra, Executive Engineer with BNCC, stated that repeated complaints from members of the public prompted the civic body to investigate the matter.
Following its preliminary inquiry, BNCC lodged a complaint with the North CEN Police Station on June 19.
According to officials, the non-cognizable report mentions several websites, including:
- beleiv.com
- heavengate.in
- swargayatraa.com
Police are expected to examine whether these platforms misrepresented themselves as authorised booking services and whether consumers were misled regarding official charges.
Funeral Service Packages Separate from Government Booking Fees
Authorities also noted that several private agencies in Bengaluru offer comprehensive funeral service packages covering ambulance transportation, hearse services, religious rituals, documentation assistance, and transportation of mortal remains.
Industry estimates suggest such packages may range between ₹15,000 and ₹50,000, depending on the services selected.
However, officials emphasized that these private packages are entirely separate from the government-prescribed cremation booking fee of ₹250, and citizens should clearly distinguish between optional funeral services and mandatory government charges.
Investigation to Examine Digital Payment Trails
Police are expected to examine:
- Online payment records
- Website ownership details
- Digital transaction logs
- Customer complaints
- Communication records
- Booking confirmation systems
Authorities will also determine whether consumers were intentionally misled and whether any fraudulent representations were made regarding official government services.
The allegations remain under inquiry, and no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the liability of the websites named in the complaint.
Shunyatax Global Insight
As more essential public services move online, cybercriminals and unauthorised intermediaries are increasingly exploiting citizens by creating websites that closely resemble official government portals. Experts advise users to verify website authenticity, confirm official service charges through government sources, avoid making payments to unknown intermediaries, and carefully check domain names before completing online transactions. Public awareness remains one of the strongest safeguards against digitally enabled consumer fraud.
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