Dehradun, July 13: The investigation into the alleged Badrinath Temple donation irregularities gathered pace after Uttarakhand Police arrested suspended Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) employee Pramod Nautiyal. Officials confirmed that the accused was taken into custody from his residence in Dehradun on Sunday night before being transported to Badrinath for further questioning.
According to Chamoli Senior Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar, Nautiyal is currently being interrogated as investigators examine allegations relating to the handling and accounting of donations received at the famous Himalayan temple. The arrest follows the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against him earlier in the week.
Nautiyal previously served as the Personal Assistant to the Chairman of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. He had already been placed under suspension after serious questions were raised over the management of temple donations.
The case gained momentum after a four-member internal inquiry committee constituted by the BKTC reportedly found preliminary evidence indicating irregularities in the donation management process. Based on its findings, the committee recommended further legal action, prompting police to launch a formal investigation.
The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee is the statutory authority responsible for the administration of the Badrinath temple and several other prominent shrines in Uttarakhand. The committee oversees financial management, religious affairs, pilgrim facilities, and the maintenance of temple properties.
Recognising the seriousness of the allegations, the Uttarakhand government has also established an independent three-member panel to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the matter. The committee is headed by the Garhwal Divisional Commissioner and has been tasked with examining the allegations, reviewing existing procedures, and submitting recommendations to the state government.
Officials said the government’s probe will assess whether established protocols governing donation collection, counting, and accounting were properly followed. The panel is also expected to suggest measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of offerings made by devotees.
The controversy first came to public attention after videos and allegations concerning the counting of donations at the Badrinath temple circulated widely on social media platforms. The claims triggered widespread public discussion and prompted demands for an impartial investigation.
Adding to the pressure, an organisation known as Bhairav Sena submitted a formal complaint seeking a detailed inquiry and criminal proceedings against those found responsible for any financial misconduct. Following the complaint, police initiated legal action, leading to the registration of the FIR and the subsequent arrest.
Investigators are now examining relevant records, financial documents, and statements from officials associated with the temple administration. Authorities have indicated that the investigation remains ongoing and that further action will depend on the evidence collected during the probe.
The state government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in the administration of religious institutions, while officials have assured devotees that all necessary steps are being taken to safeguard the integrity of temple finances and maintain public confidence in the management of one of India’s most revered pilgrimage sites.