Badrinath Temple Donation Scam: Personal Assistant Pramod Nautiyal posted in the office of the Chairman of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has been arrested. He is accused of stealing bundles of Rs 500 notes, gold and silver coins from Badrinath Dham temple.
Chamoli (Uttarakhand): Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended employee of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), has been arrested on charges of irregularities in the donation amount to Badrinath Dham. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Chamoli Police arrested Nautiyal from his house in Dehradun late night. After this the team took him to Badrinath, where he will be presented in the court today.
None of this is my fault
After his arrest, Nautiyal denied the allegations of misappropriation of temple funds, declaring himself innocent and told the police that he had no fault in the donation embezzlement case. SIT investigating officer Mahadev Uniyal said that the team has got the first success in the case. He said, “At present, Pramod Nautiyal is in our custody and after interrogating him, many more names will come to light.
Who is Pramod Nautiyal?
Let us tell you that Pramod Nautiyal was a personal assistant posted in the office of the Chairman of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). Who is accused of stealing cash, gold and silver coins from the offering room of the temple. Nautiyal had already been suspended by the temple committee. Now the SIT has arrested him.
Nautiyal was seen stealing bundles of notes and gold and silver coins.
Uttarakhand Police had claimed that CCTV footage showed Nautiyal “suspiciously hiding or stealing” cash, gold and silver coins, Shaligram stones and offering envelopes from the donation counting room. According to Uttarakhand Police, “Accused Pramod Nautiyal was found with bundles of Rs 500 and Rs 100 notes, gold and silver coins, Shaligram stones and envelopes containing offerings, estimated to be worth around Rs 10 to 12 thousand. In the footage, he was also seen coming and going two-three times between the donation counting room and his office. The police suspect that he stole money and valuables from the counting room and returned to his office. Were hiding in. This incident was captured in CCTV footage of July 2.
Learn about the case in detail
Let us tell you that this case is related to theft and manipulation of offerings in Badrinath temple, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites of the country. After news of the theft surfaced, the state government had formed a Special Investigation Team to thoroughly investigate the matter and trace the culprits. This incident was captured in CCTV footage of July 2. FIR in this case was registered at Badrinath police station on the complaint of temple officer in-charge of BKTC, Yudhveer Pushpwan. SIT has also recorded his statement. As part of the investigation, statements of CCTV Control Officer Panwar and other BKTC officials including Harendra Kothari, who was present during the counting of donations, have also been taken. Meanwhile, Nautiyal has challenged his suspension and the FIR registered against him in the Uttarakhand High Court. The next hearing of the case is to be held on July 16.