Badrinath donation case: Suspended temple employee Pramod Nautiyal arrested

Suspended Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) employee Pramod Nautiyal has been arrested by the Uttarakhand Police in connection with alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Badrinath temple.

Nautiyal, who served as the Personal Assistant to the BKTC chairman, was arrested from his residence on Sunday (July 13) night by the Chamoli Police and taken to Badrinath for questioning. Confirming the arrest, Senior Superintendent of Police, Chamoli, and Surjit Singh Panwar said on Monday (July 13) Nautiyal is currently being interrogated.

Arrest follows donation row

An FIR against Nautiyal was lodged after allegations surfaced that established procedures were violated during the counting of cash offerings made by devotees at the Badrinath temple.

Also Read: Is Badrinath exposé meant to divert attention from Ayodhya donation ‘scam’?

The issue first came to light through social media posts, following which an organisation named 'Bhairav Sena' lodged a complaint seeking an inquiry and registration of an FIR.

A four-member inquiry committee constituted by the BKTC found the allegations against Nautiyal to be prima facie true. The Uttarakhand government also formed a three-member committee, headed by the Garhwal Division Commissioner, to conduct an independent probe and submit its findings to the state government.

Probe widened by state govt

According to the preliminary inquiry, cash was allegedly removed from the designated counting area during the counting of offerings on July 2 in violation of prescribed procedures. The FIR was registered at Badrinath Police Station on a complaint by BKTC In-charge Temple Officer Yudhvir Pushpwan.

Also Read: Badrinath Dham hit by donation theft claims; inquiry ordered

Statements of other BKTC officials, including CCTV control officer Panwar and Harender Kothari, who was present during the counting process, have also been recorded.

Meanwhile, Nautiyal has moved the Uttarakhand High Court challenging his suspension and the FIR. Justice Alok Mehra directed the BKTC to file its response, with the next hearing scheduled for July 16.

High Court hears plea

The arrest comes a day after the Uttarakhand government directed the BKTC Chief Executive Officer to initiate action against officials and employees found responsible for alleged financial irregularities related to payments for accommodation, food and other expenses of VIP guests at the Kedarnath establishment, reported the Times of India.

Also Read: Non-Hindus banned from entering Badrinath, Kedarnath shrines: Temple panel

The report further stated that in a June 25 letter, Deputy Secretary Anil Kumar Pandey cited an inquiry report that found prima facie evidence that advance funds were released from the temple corpus without approval from the competent authority.

It questioned the roles of the then Manager, Kedarnath, the then Chief In-charge Officer and the then Chief Executive Officer. The government directed the BKTC CEO to take action under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and the rules framed under it.

(With agency inputs)