BREAKING: Key accused Pramod Nautiyal arrested in Badrinath Dham donation theft probe

Police have arrested suspended BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal in the Badrinath donation case. What did investigators allegedly find in the CCTV footage, and what happens next?

Pramod Nautiyal arrested in Badrinath Dham donation theft case (Img: IANS)

Dehradun: Chamoli Police have arrested suspended Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee employee Pramod Nautiyal in connection with the alleged theft of donations and offerings at Badrinath Dham.

Nautiyal was reportedly taken into custody from his residence in Dehradun late on Sunday night. Following the arrest, police brought him to Badrinath for questioning as part of the continuing investigation. He is expected to be produced before a court after the interrogation.

Also Read: Badrinath Dham Donation Row: SIT report reveals repeated irregularities, temple announces security overhaul

Alleged Irregularity Detected During Cash Counting

The case surfaced during the counting of cash offerings at Badrinath temple on July 2. A preliminary departmental inquiry alleged that temple funds were removed from the designated counting area in violation of established procedures.

The inquiry claimed that Nautiyal allegedly took offerings from the counting site between 9 a.m. and 9.30 a.m. Based on the preliminary findings, the temple committee suspended him and approached the police.

FIR Filed Following BKTC Complaint

An FIR was registered at Badrinath Police Station after a written complaint by temple officer-in-charge Yudhvir Pushpwan. Chamoli Police subsequently formed a Special Investigation Team to examine the allegations.

Investigators have recorded statements from temple committee officials and examined CCTV footage, call records and documents connected to the counting process. Police have said the footage allegedly showed suspicious handling of cash and other offerings, though the claims remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.

Also Read: After Ram Mandir donation row, Probe ordered into Shri Badrinath temple offerings

Accused Approaches Uttarakhand High Court

Nautiyal has also challenged his suspension and the FIR before the Uttarakhand High Court. The court has sought a response from the temple committee, with the matter reportedly scheduled for further hearing on July 16.

Separately, the Uttarakhand government has directed the BKTC chief executive officer to act against officials identified in an inquiry into alleged irregularities involving expenses for VIP guests at the Kedarnath establishment.