Suspended BKTC Employee Arrested in Badrinath Temple Donation Irregularities Case

The Uttarakhand Police have arrested Pramod Nautiyal , a suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) , in connection with the alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Badrinath temple , officials said on Monday.

Nautiyal, who had served as the Personal Assistant to the BKTC chairman , was arrested from his residence on Sunday night by the Chamoli Police . He was subsequently taken to Badrinath , where he is currently being questioned, Chamoli Senior Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar said.

An FIR was registered against Nautiyal last week following allegations of irregularities in the management and counting of temple donations. The case has drawn significant public attention after claims of financial misconduct surfaced on social media.

A four-member inquiry committee constituted by the BKTC examined the allegations and found them to be prima facie true , prompting further legal action. Following the committee's findings, Nautiyal was suspended from service.

The Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee , a statutory body responsible for managing the Badrinath temple and several other prominent shrines in Uttarakhand, has initiated departmental proceedings alongside the police investigation.

Separately, the Uttarakhand government has constituted a three-member probe committee , headed by the Garhwal Division Commissioner , to conduct an independent inquiry into the alleged donation irregularities. The panel has been tasked with submitting its findings and recommendations to the state government.

The controversy escalated after allegations regarding irregularities in the counting of donations at the revered temple circulated widely on social media. Subsequently, an organisation named Bhairav Sena filed a complaint seeking a thorough investigation and registration of an FIR.

Police said the investigation is underway, and further action will be taken based on the evidence gathered during the probe.