Badrinath Donation Scam: Suspended BKTC Employee Pramod Nautiyal Arrested by Police

In a significant development regarding the alleged theft of offerings at the Badrinath temple, the Uttarakhand Police has made its first arrest. Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), was taken into custody after preliminary investigations suggested that the allegations of financial irregularities were prima facie accurate. The police have intensified their probe into the management of donations and offerings at one of India's most sacred shrines.

Police Action and Interrogation

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Chamoli, Surjeet Singh Panwar, confirmed the arrest and provided details regarding the operation. He stated that the Chamoli police apprehended Pramod Nautiyal from his residence on Sunday night, while following the arrest, Nautiyal was immediately transported to Badrinath, where he's currently being interrogated by the authorities. The police are looking to uncover the full extent of the alleged scam and identify if other individuals were involved in the mismanagement of temple funds.

Background of the Accused

Pramod Nautiyal has a significant history within the temple administration, having previously served as the Personal Assistant (PA) to the BKTC Chairman. An FIR was registered against him late Tuesday night following the emergence of the controversy. The temple committee had already placed him under suspension as the gravity of the allegations became clear. His arrest marks a crucial step in the legal proceedings that have followed weeks of public outcry and administrative scrutiny.

Internal and Government Investigations

The BKTC, which is a statutory body responsible for managing the Badrinath temple and other major religious sites in Uttarakhand, had formed a 4-member internal inquiry committee. This committee's initial findings indicated that the claims regarding the mismanagement of donations weren't baseless, while the report suggested that there were indeed irregularities in how the offerings were handled and recorded. In addition to the internal probe, the Uttarakhand government has also stepped in. Last week, the state administration constituted a 3-member high-level inquiry committee. This committee is headed by the Garhwal Divisional Commissioner. The panel is tasked with conducting a thorough investigation and submitting a comprehensive report along with recommendations to the state government for further action.

Origin of the Controversy

The controversy first erupted when allegations of irregularities during the counting of donations and offerings at the Badrinath temple surfaced on social media platforms, while the digital outcry prompted an organization named Bhairav Sena to take formal action. They filed a complaint demanding a rigorous investigation and the registration of an FIR. The organization highlighted the need for transparency in the management of the temple's wealth, which eventually led to the current police action and the arrest of Nautiyal. The investigation continues as authorities examine the records and procedures followed during the donation counting process.