The Bengaluru North City Corporation (BNCC) has lodged a police complaint against several websites accused of allegedly charging exorbitant fees for booking cremation slots at electric crematoriums under its jurisdiction.
Unauthorised Intermediary Portals and Premium Markup Extractions
According to civic officials, while the officially prescribed cremation fee is ₹250, certain unauthorised websites and intermediaries were allegedly charging bereaved families between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 to secure a booking slot.
The issue came to light after people arriving at crematoriums informed officials that they had paid thousands of rupees for bookings that should have cost only a fraction of that amount. Following preliminary verification, authorities suspected that several private websites were acting as intermediaries and collecting excessive charges from citizens.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
Regulated Public Utility Tariffs and Institutional Domain Controls
The Bengaluru North City Corporation oversees two electric crematoriums located at Hebbal and Medi Agrahara. Officials stated that the cremation charges at these facilities are fixed by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) at ₹250 per slot.
According to BNCC officials, some websites allegedly created the impression that they were authorised booking platforms and accepted payments on behalf of citizens. Authorities claim that these websites were profiting by charging significantly higher amounts than the officially prescribed fee.
Non-Cognizable Cyber Reports and Digital Identity Mappings
Rajendra, an Executive Engineer with BNCC, said the alleged irregularities surfaced when visitors repeatedly mentioned paying large sums to secure cremation slots. Upon examination, officials found that unauthorised platforms were reportedly facilitating bookings while charging excessive fees.
The civic body subsequently approached the North CEN Police Station and filed a complaint on June 19. The non-cognizable report reportedly mentions several websites, including “beleiv.com,” “heavengate.in,” and “swargayatraa.com,” among others. Officials have advised citizens to book cremation slots only through authorised government platforms and to verify the authenticity of any website before making payments.
Private Funeral Service Packages and Staff Collusion Risks
Authorities also pointed out that, apart from websites, certain agents and intermediaries are known to offer funeral service packages. According to officials, some service providers coordinate with crematorium staff to arrange preferred booking slots while offering additional services to families.
Industry sources indicate that funeral service packages in Bengaluru can range from ₹15,000 to ₹50,000, depending on the services included. These packages may cover ambulance transportation, hearse vehicles, religious rituals conducted by priests, documentation assistance, and even transportation of mortal remains from other cities. However, officials clarified that such packages are separate from the government-prescribed cremation booking fee.
Forensic Audit Trails and Electronic Service Safeguards
Police are expected to examine the functioning of the websites named in the complaint, the nature of services provided, and whether citizens were misled regarding official charges. Investigators may also review payment records and communication associated with the alleged bookings.
The allegations remain under inquiry, and authorities have urged the public to exercise caution while making online bookings for essential services. Citizens have been advised to verify official charges through government sources and avoid making payments through unauthorised platforms or intermediaries without proper verification.
