Uttarakhand Probes Donation Theft at Badrinath Temple

The Government of Uttarakhand and the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) have launched investigations into the alleged misappropriation of devotee donations at the Badrinath Temple. The probes began after social media claims and a complaint from the organization Bhairav Sena suggested cash offerings were being siphoned off by staff.

Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, directed the formation of a three-member high-level panel chaired by Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop. This committee is tasked with reviewing management practices and submitting a report with recommendations for transparency within 15 days. Dhami condemned the alleged irregularities, characterizing them as a sin amounting to cow slaughter and promising that the guilty will not be spared.

Internal actions led by BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi resulted in the suspension of Pramod Nautiyal, a Personal Assistant in the Chairman's Office. Following a show-cause notice and a preliminary inquiry that found prima facie evidence of official misconduct, the BKTC filed an FIR against Nautiyal. He has been attached to the BKTC office in Joshimath and is prohibited from leaving headquarters without approval while the internal investigation, which utilizes CCTV footage and financial records, continues.

Uttarakhand Congress President Ganesh Godiyal dismissed the government-led probe as a cover-up. He argued that the current investigation lacks the necessary transparency and demanded the creation of an all-party committee, headed by an opposition leader, to conduct a legitimate inquiry into the missing funds.