Badrinath Temple Theft Probe Panel Calls for CCTV Upgrade, Devotee Role in Counting

A committee constituted by the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) to investigate the alleged theft of offerings at the Badrinath Temple has submitted an 18-page report , recommending a series of measures to strengthen security, improve transparency, and prevent future misappropriation of donations.

BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad confirmed on Thursday that the four-member inquiry panel had completed its investigation and proposed several reforms to the temple's offering management system. Among its key recommendations are the introduction of a dress code for personnel involved in counting offerings, installation of additional CCTV cameras in uncovered areas and the counting centre, enhancement of the surveillance system with greater accountability, and the creation of a formal mechanism to involve devotees in the counting process .

The committee was formed after allegations of misappropriation of temple offerings surfaced on social media on July 2 , prompting the BKTC to initiate an internal inquiry.

Acting on the committee's preliminary findings, the BKTC suspended Pramod Nautiyal , a personal assistant in the chairman's office. A police case was subsequently registered against him, and he was arrested on July 13 . Separately, temple treasurer Sandesh Mehta was transferred after investigators found instances of overwriting in the register used to record offerings made at the shrine.

The investigation has since expanded beyond the internal inquiry. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Chamoli DSP Madan Singh is examining whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged theft. Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage of Nautiyal's past activities and are also attempting to recover deleted surveillance recordings as part of the probe.

In parallel, a three-member committee constituted under the direction of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and headed by Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup is conducting a separate investigation into the incident.