SIT has intensified action to investigate irregularities in offerings in Badrinath temple. The team will record statements of BKTC members and collect CCTV footage. Meanwhile, suspended employee Pramod Nautiyal has approached the High Court, where the next hearing will be held on July 16.
The accused employee knocked on the door of the High Court
Meanwhile, suspended BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal has approached the Uttarakhand High Court challenging his suspension order and the FIR registered against him in this alleged case. On Friday, the matter was heard by a single bench of Justice Alok Mehra, which directed BKTC to explain its stand. The next hearing of the case is to be held on July 16.
Hearing the case on Friday, a single bench of Justice Alok Mehra directed BKTC to explain its stand. The next hearing in the case has been fixed for July 16. It is noteworthy that Nautiyal’s mobile phone remained switched off on Thursday. After suspension, Nautiyal was attached to the BKTC office in Joshimath. However, he did not report for duty. BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad had earlier said that the committee has not been able to establish contact with Nautiyal since his suspension.
What is the whole matter?
The controversy began on July 2 when alleged irregularities were found during counting of cash offerings made by devotees at the Badrinath temple. A preliminary investigation found that cash was allegedly removed from the counting area between 9 am and 9:30 am in violation of established procedures. CCTV footage of the complex reportedly shows Nautiyal walking out of the counting area with a bundle of currency notes hidden under a mobile phone.
Investigation is being done at three levels
After the footage surfaced on social media, BKTC initiated a departmental inquiry. Acting on the instructions of BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, a four-member inquiry committee conducted a preliminary inquiry and found prima facie evidence of irregularities against Nautiyal. Based on its findings, the committee suspended him with immediate effect and issued a notice seeking his reply within 48 hours.
Following a complaint lodged by temple officer in-charge of BKTC, Yudhveer Pushpavan, an FIR was lodged against Nautiyal at the Badrinath police station. The case is currently being investigated at three levels: the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police, the departmental inquiry committee of BKTC, and a high-level committee headed by the Garhwal Commissioner.
On Thursday, Finance Controller of Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), Hem Kandpal, came out to address the ongoing controversy regarding alleged misappropriation of temple offerings, insisting that the actions of a lone employee do not reflect the institutional integrity of the committee. (ANI)
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