Badrinath Donation Theft: Pramod Nautiyal Arrested After Going Missing, BKTC Employee In Custody

The Uttarakhand Police have made the first arrest in the high-profile Badrinath Temple donation theft case. Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), was taken into custody from his residence. The arrest follows a series of allegations and preliminary investigations that suggested irregularities in the management of offerings and donations at the Himalayan shrine. The case has sparked significant controversy, leading to a swift response from both the temple administration and the state police.

Details of the Arrest and Police Action

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Chamoli, Surjit Singh Panwar, confirmed that the Chamoli police arrested Pramod Nautiyal on Sunday night. Following the arrest, Nautiyal was transported to Badrinath, where he's currently undergoing intensive questioning. The police action comes after the accused had been missing for several days, having switched off his mobile phone to evade authorities. The investigation was intensified after initial findings pointed towards his direct involvement in the alleged theft.

The Allegations and CCTV Evidence

The controversy began on July 2, when members of the Bhairav Sena raised serious allegations against Pramod Nautiyal. It was alleged that Nautiyal, despite being the Personal Assistant (PA) to the BKTC Chairman, was assigned duties related to protocol and donation counting at the Badrinath temple. The Bhairav Sena claimed that during the counting of donations, Nautiyal was involved in stealing money, an act that was reportedly captured on the temple's CCTV cameras. These allegations prompted the temple committee to take immediate notice of the situation.

Investigation and Suspension Timeline

In response to the gravity of the situation, the CEO of the temple committee, acting on the Chairman's recommendation, formed a 4 member departmental team to investigate the matter. On July 7, the team arrived at Badrinath to review CCTV footage and other relevant documents. The preliminary investigation found the allegations against Pramod Nautiyal to be credible. Consequently, the CEO suspended Nautiyal on July 7. Following the suspension, Yudhveer Paswan, the In-charge Temple Officer, filed an FIR against Nautiyal at the Badrinath police station around 12:30 AM that same night.

The 18 Page Investigation Report

The 4 member departmental team concluded its investigation and submitted an 18 page report to the CEO's office on July 11. The report provided detailed evidence of Nautiyal's activities. According to the findings, Nautiyal was observed manipulating funds on more than one occasion on July 2. On top of that, the report noted that on June 29, he was seen carrying away objects that appeared to be money. In addition to the departmental probe, a government-appointed team led by the Commissioner is also conducting a separate investigation into the irregularities.

Background and Career of the Accused

Pramod Nautiyal's career within the temple committee has come under scrutiny. He was permanently appointed in 2014 as an Internet Coordinator with a Grade Pay of 2800. Despite this being a single-post cadre, the committee reportedly went out of its way to promote him. In 2018, he was appointed as the Personal Assistant to the Committee Chairman. Most recently, he was entrusted with the responsibilities of protocol and the counting of 'Thali Bhet' (plate offerings) at the Badrinath temple, positions that placed him in direct contact with the temple's financial offerings.

Disappearance and Legal Maneuvers

Following his suspension on July 7, Pramod Nautiyal went missing from Badrinath on July 8. He switched off his mobile phone, making it difficult for the police to track him. During this period, it was revealed that he approached the High Court to seek a stay on his arrest and the FIR filed against him. However, the police managed to locate and arrest him before any legal relief could be granted. " The police continue to investigate the full extent of the scam and whether other individuals were involved.