Ahead of the highly-anticipated Ram Mandir consecration ceremony in the northern Indian city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, criminal rackets that are using the auspicious occasion to defraud the devotees have sprung up across the country.

Scammers con devotees ahead of Ram Mandir consecration ceremony; VHP issues statement

A fortnight after violence erupted between the Hindu and Muslim sides in Nuh, a district in the northern Indian state of Haryana, a Mahapanchayat (a gathering of people from around 10-12 villages) has been scheduled on Sunday (August 13).

India: Mahapanchayat in Nuh, Haryana on Sunday to discuss resumption of 'VHP Yatra'

At least three people were killed and 60 others were injured, including at least 10 police officers, after a clash that broke out between two groups following a religious procession in Nuh district of north Indian state of Haryana on Monday (July 31).

India: Three killed, over 20 injured in violence following religious procession in Haryana's Nuh

Reportedly, few shops were set ablaze and five buses were vandalised during the violence

Kasganj clash: 49 people arrested, section 144 to continue

The protest went violent agitators started pelting stones at police in the village of Balki Taluk of Bidar, Karnataka

Karnataka: Police lathicharge agitators protesting against Bidar rape case

The VHP's Pravin Togadia went 'missing' in Ahmedabad for most of Monday after a Rajasthan Police team arrived in the city to arrest him

After he goes 'missing', is found, Congress leader, Hardik Patel visit Togadia in hospital

Rajasthan Police had arrived in the city Monday morning to arrest him in an old case

'Untraceable' since Monday morning, VHP's Pravin Togadia found unconscious in Ahmedabad