BKTC Employee Booked for Alleged Theft of Donations at Badrinath Temple

BKTC’s preliminary inquiry alleged that employee Pramod Nautiyal removed money from thali offering-counting site on July 2. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said strict action would be taken against all those found guilty

Dehradun: A case has been registered against a suspended Badrinath-Kedarnath Mandir Samiti (BKTC) employee in connection with alleged theft of donations and offerings at Badrinath temple, after an internal inquiry found financial irregularity during counting of thali offerings on July 2. The FIR was registered at Badrinath police station against temple employee Pramod Nautiyal on the complaint of Yuddhveer Pushpwan, in charge temple officer of BKTC. Police booked Nautiyal under BNS sections 306 (theft by a clerk or servant of property in the employer’s possession) and 316(5) (criminal breach of trust by persons in positions of responsibility). He had been suspended late on Tuesday evening on the basis of the preliminary inquiry and to ensure a fair probe, officials said. The complaint said information about alleged embezzlement during counting of thali offerings at Badrinath temple was received on July 2, following which BKTC constituted a departmental inquiry committee. The inquiry report alleged that Nautiyal illegally removed temple funds from the thali offering-counting site between 9am and 9.30am on July 2. Chamoli SP has constituted a special investigation team, headed by CO, Chamoli, for a detailed probe into the case. Reacting to the controversy, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said no one found guilty would be spared. “A case has been registered and strict action will be taken against all those found guilty. No one will be spared as it is a matter of serious concern,” Dhami said, adding, “Theft in a temple is like killing your parents or gau-hatya (cow slaughter). We have taken strict note, a high-level probe panel has been constituted and an FIR has been registered.” Congress MLA from Badrinath Lakhpat Butola said suspension of one BKTC employee was not enough and demanded action against all those involved. “I represent Badrinath assembly constituency and it is an honour for me. People across the country have been hurt by this act of theft. CM office needs to give a detailed explanation as Pushkar Singh Dhami heads a state that houses Char Dham,” Butola said. Butola demanded that the matter be probed by a panel comprising three sitting judges of high court to ensure fairness, alleging that “Dhami govt was trying to suppress the voice of the people”. Officials said further action would depend on the SIT probe, examination of CCTV footage, statements of temple staff and records of the donation-counting process.