New Delhi: An employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has been suspended after a preliminary inquiry found prima facie irregularities in the management of donations at Badrinath Dham, as separate investigations by the temple committee and the Uttarakhand government gather pace.
The BKTC, the statutory body responsible for managing the Badrinath temple and other shrines in Uttarakhand, suspended Pramod Nautiyal, who was serving as a private secretary in the committee.
BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi told PTI that the suspension followed initial findings indicating possible irregularities and that the action was taken pending the outcome of the investigation.
Dual investigations underway
Alongside the temple committee’s inquiry, the Uttarakhand government has constituted a separate three-member probe committee to examine the allegations.
According to an order issued by Tourism Secretary Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, the committee will be headed by the Garhwal Division Commissioner and has been asked to submit its report and recommendations within 15 days.
Dwivedi reiterated that the BKTC follows a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and said strict departmental as well as legal action would be initiated if any employee is found guilty.
Allegations emerged after social media claims
The controversy surfaced after allegations of irregularities during the counting of devotees’ offerings at Badrinath Dham were circulated on social media.
Following the claims, an organisation called Bhairav Sena submitted a complaint seeking a detailed inquiry and the registration of an FIR into the alleged irregularities.
In response, the BKTC constituted a four-member investigation panel last week.
The committee comprises Finance Controller Hem Kandpal, Legal Officer S.S. Bartwal, Chief Administrative Officer Rajan Naithani, and Kedarnath Senior Administrative Officer D.S. Bhujwan.
Officials said the inquiry is examining CCTV footage, statements from concerned employees and other documentary evidence related to the handling of temple donations.
CCTV replacement comes under scrutiny
Questions were also raised over the replacement of CCTV cameras installed at the temple premises.
However, the BKTC Chief Executive Officer clarified that the replacement was part of a routine process and not linked to the allegations.
The CEO further stated that all recordings from the old digital video recorders (DVRs) have been securely preserved and will be made available to investigators as part of the probe.
Congress seeks judicial inquiry
The allegations have triggered political reactions, particularly as similar accusations regarding temple offerings have recently surfaced at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.
Uttarakhand Congress president Ganesh Godiyal demanded either a judicial inquiry or an investigation by a joint committee of the Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly to ensure transparency in the matter.
The twin investigations are expected to determine whether any financial irregularities occurred in the management of donations and recommend further action based on the findings.
