A suspended employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has been arrested in connection with the alleged irregularities in the handling of devotees’ donations at Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand.
The accused, Pramod Nautiyal, who served as the personal assistant to the BKTC chairman, was arrested from his residence in Dehradun by Chamoli Police on Sunday night. He has since been taken to Badrinath for questioning as the investigation continues.
Suspended After Internal Inquiry
Nautiyal was suspended after a preliminary inquiry by the BKTC reportedly found prima facie evidence of irregularities in the management of temple donations.
A four-member committee constituted by the temple body examined the allegations and recommended action after identifying suspected lapses in the donation handling process.
Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand High Court is scheduled to hear Nautiyal’s petition on July 17, in which he has challenged both his suspension and the FIR registered against him.
CCTV Footage Under Investigation
According to police, CCTV footage from the donation counting room allegedly shows Nautiyal repeatedly entering and exiting the area before visiting his office.
Investigators claim the footage raises suspicion that cash and valuables may have been removed from the counting room. Police have alleged that the missing items include bundles of ₹500 and ₹100 currency notes, gold and silver coins, shaligram stones, and offering envelopes reportedly containing cash.
Authorities are examining the footage as part of the ongoing investigation. The allegations are under probe, and the case remains under investigation.
How the Investigation Began
The investigation was launched after alleged discrepancies surfaced during the counting of donations offered by devotees at the Badrinath temple on July 2.
A preliminary inquiry reportedly indicated that cash had been removed from the counting room without following the prescribed procedures.
In response, the Uttarakhand government constituted a three-member high-level committee, headed by the Garhwal Divisional Commissioner, to examine the matter and submit its findings to the state government.
Multiple Agencies Investigating the Case
The alleged donation irregularities are currently being investigated by multiple agencies, including:
- Uttarakhand Police
- Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- BKTC’s departmental inquiry committee
- State government’s high-level inquiry committee
The outcome of these investigations will determine the next course of legal and administrative action.
