Badrinath-Kedarnath under scanner: Temple Committee forms four-member panel to probe into donation theft claims
NEW DELHI: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) on Sunday constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of irregularities in the handling of pilgrims’ offerings and donations at Shri Badrinath Dham after the claims surfaced on social media.BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad said the committee was constituted by BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi to ensure an impartial and fact-based investigation into the allegations. He said the panel has been directed to examine all available evidence and submit its report within seven days. Rangad said the inquiry committee will conduct a detailed investigation based on CCTV footage from the temple premises, statements of the concerned employees and other available evidence.The development comes amid heightened scrutiny over the handling of temple donations following the alleged embezzlement of offerings at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, where a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is currently probing alleged financial irregularities.According to Rangad, the BKTC took cognisance of the allegations circulating on social media on July 2. CCTV footage from the temple premises was examined, but the available footage was not entirely clear. Given the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, the BKTC chairman was immediately informed and explanations were sought from the employees concerned.Rangad said that if anyone is found guilty in the inquiry committee’s report, strict departmental and legal action will be initiated under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939 and the applicable employee conduct rules.He also appealed to devotees and the public not to circulate unverified or misleading information until the inquiry is completed, saying the matter concerns one of the country’s holiest pilgrimage sites and the faith of millions of devotees.The issue has also triggered a political row in Uttarakhand.State Congress president Ganesh Godiyal described the allegations as serious and demanded strict action against those found guilty. He said followers of the Sanatan faith had been hurt by allegations of corruption, first at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya and now at Badrinath Dham.On Saturday, Godiyal, along with Congress workers, staged a silent protest at the Bagnath Temple complex in Bageshwar over the alleged irregularities in offerings and donations at both the Ram Temple and Badrinath Temple.Earlier on Friday, BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi had clarified that the employee being referred to on social media as his ‘personal secretary’ was not his personal secretary but a regular government employee of the temple committee who had earlier served as a personal assistant to three former BKTC chairmen.Dwivedi had said that strict action would be taken if the allegations were found to be true during the inquiry.
What is the case?
The controversy began after a social organisation, Bhairav Sena Sangathan, alleged theft of donations and offerings at the Badrinath temple and urged the BKTC to examine CCTV footage to verify the claims.In a letter to BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Rangad, the organisation alleged that a temple committee employee was involved in the alleged irregularities and claimed the matter had earlier been brought to the chairman’s notice.Following the complaint, the BKTC ordered an inquiry and initiated a review of CCTV footage from the temple premises.Officials have said donations at Badrinath and Kedarnath are counted through a structured process involving temple committee staff, bank officials and verified volunteers before being deposited with banks.The allegations surfaced just days after the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya triggered a separate investigation.In the Ayodhya case, Uttar Pradesh Police are probing alleged financial irregularities after an FIR was registered on June 25. A local court has remanded the accused to judicial custody, while the SIT has been granted additional time to expand its investigation.The controversy also led to the resignation of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust general secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra, who stepped down taking moral responsibility for the incident. The Trust has said it is committed to ensuring a fair investigation and maintaining the faith of devotees.
