Badrinath offering row: SIT seizes CCTV footage, questions temple CEO and PA as probe widens

DEHRADUN The investigation into the alleged financial irregularities and theft of offerings at the holy Badrinath Dham has escalated sharply. A high-level, three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrived at the temple to probe the suspected misappropriation of funds, immediately turning up the heat on top administrative officials.

The SIT, led by Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop and featuring senior finance and management officers, launched its ground operations by targeting the temple’s executive core. Investigators conducted intense questioning of Temple Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sohan Singh Rangad and his Personal Assistant, Atul Dimri, to probe gaps in oversight.

Simultaneously, investigators embedded themselves in the temple’s CCTV control room, systematically reviewing operational logs and tracking how daily donations are handled. The administrative probe runs parallel to an intensifying criminal investigation.

#WATCH | Badrinath Temple donations alleged theft case | SIT probing the case inspects the cash register in Badrinath Temple’s donations counting area pic.twitter.com/yKnMhK2zpN

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Suspended Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) employee Pramod Nautiyal was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by the District and Sessions Court in Gopeshwar and sent to Pursadi District Jail. However, the dragnet is rapidly expanding beyond a single rogue insider. While reviewing CCTV footage from June 25, investigators spotted several other BKTC employees inside the currency-counting room displaying highly suspicious behaviour.

#WATCH | Uttarakhand | Pramod Nautiyal, an accused in the Badrinath temple donations alleged theft case arrested by the SIT from Dehradun.

The alleged accused says, “I have nothing to say. I am not at fault.” pic.twitter.com/XN5bIy0N7F

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The police have formally seized the relevant video reels and placed those additional employees under active scrutiny, tracing a potential insider network and tracking the money trail.

Earlier, Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal and Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman Hemant Dwivedi had openly traded allegations, further intensifying the controversy.

BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi accused the Congress of politicising the issue, claiming that Ganesh Godiyal had served as the chairman of the Temple Committee for a long period and that several questions had also been raised during his tenure.

Responding to the remarks, Godiyal accepted the challenge and said that he was prepared to publicly answer every allegation made against him.

However, the issue of the alleged theft of temple offerings at Badrinath was first raised by Bhairav Sena founder Sandeep Khatri. Sandeep Khatri alleged serious irregularities in the management of donations offered by devotees at the temple. Following these allegations, the matter quickly gained public attention and sparked a political war of words between rival parties.

As the controversy deepened, the BKTC initially constituted a four-member inquiry committee. Subsequently, the Uttarakhand government formed a three-member high-level committee to investigate the matter.

Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) vice-chairman, Vijay Kapruwan, on Tuesday announced the immediate installation of high-quality surveillance cameras across all locations within the temple complex following an alleged theft at the revered Badrinath Dham. The BKTC has launched a full-scale investigation after social media reports forced a dark secret into the public eye, leading to the arrest of an internal temple official.

#WATCH | Rudraprayag: Regarding an alleged theft case involving the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) at Badrinath Dham, Vijay Kapruwan, BKTC Vice Chairman, says, “A matter came to light via social media on the 2nd, and the temple committee immediately constituted a… pic.twitter.com/bZI47GXGeM

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The scandal erupted on July 2 when allegations began circulating online. Recognising the gravity of the situation, temple authorities and local government officials moved quickly to form parallel inquiry teams.

“A matter came to light via social media on the 2nd, and the temple committee immediately constituted a 4-member team to initiate an inquiry. Simultaneously, the government also formed a team comprising a commissioner and other officials,” Kapruwan said.

The investigation took a significant turn when suspicion locked onto an insider. A “Vaitik Sahayak” (ritual assistant) has been named as the primary suspect in connection with the theft. Following rapid police work, the assistant was tracked down and arrested at his residence.

“The investigation is ongoing, and the name of a ‘Vaitik Sahayak’ has surfaced in connection with the case. According to sources, the police arrested him at his home yesterday. I believe the inquiry will bring the absolute truth to light,” he added.

“Millions of people hold deep faith in the Lord, and the occurrence of such an incident, which was truly tragic, was deeply distressing,” said Kapruwan. Acknowledging the deep emotional and spiritual blow to the community, BKTC Vice Chairman Vijay Kapruwan emphasised that while “only Lord Bholenath knows exactly what transpired,” the committee is moving from shock to strict action.

To restore absolute sanctity and faith, the BKTC has announced an immediate overhaul of its security protocols: The immediate installation of high-quality surveillance cameras across all locations within the temple complex and fast-tracking a pre-existing proposal to establish and deploy a specialised, dedicated security team permanently stationed at the holy site.

The case pertains to the theft and irregularities involving the handling of donations at the Badrinath Temple, one of the most revered shrines in the country. Following reports of the theft, the State authorities had constituted a Special Investigation Team to conduct a thorough probe and identify the culprits behind the crime.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday asserted that “a crime being committed at such a place is not worth forgiving” after the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of Badrinath Dham donations arrested the prime accused, Pramod Nautiyal.

“Strict action will be taken in this matter as these are centres of Sanatan and devotion. The law will take its own course. A crime being committed at such a place is not worth forgiving,” the Chief Minister said. (ANI)