A suspended official of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has allegedly confessed to his role in the Badrinath Temple funds theft case. This is according to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttarakhand Police.
The official, Pramod Nautiyal, served as a personal assistant in the office of the BKTC chairman. Police arrested him on July 12 after allegations surfaced that donations collected at the Badrinath shrine had been illegally removed from the counting centre.
Badrinath Temple funds theft case under investigation
The latest development came after Nautiyal spent four days in police remand. According to investigators, he allegedly confessed during questioning. Police also recovered cash, Nepalese currency, silver coins and small silver items from his accommodation in Badrinath.
Investigators are examining whether the recovered items are connected to the alleged misappropriation of temple donations. The investigation has not yet established the complete amount allegedly misappropriated.
Authorities are also examining the handling of money collected through arrangements connected with VIP darshan. Nautiyal was produced before a court after his police remand ended and was sent to judicial custody.
How the alleged donation theft came to light
The case emerged after irregularities were reported in the handling and counting of offerings at the Badrinath shrine.
A preliminary inquiry by a four-member BKTC panel found that temple funds were allegedly removed from the donation counting centre between 9 am and 9.30 am on July 2.
The temple committee subsequently suspended Nautiyal and complained that he had taken donation money for personal gain. The Uttarakhand Police later registered an FIR against him on July 7.
The charges include alleged theft by a clerk or servant and aggravated criminal breach of trust under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Nautiyal was suspended on July 7 following a preliminary report. Police arrested him several days later from his home in Dehradun.
Police recover cash and silver items
During the investigation, the SIT searched Nautiyal’s accommodation in Badrinath, his residence in Dehradun and the BKTC office.
Investigators recovered silver coins, small silver idols, silver tortoises, Nepalese currency notes and cash. Police also seized property documents to examine how the assets were acquired and whether they have any connection with the alleged case.
Investigators said Nautiyal did not implicate other individuals during questioning. However, the authorities are continuing to examine the wider handling of temple donations.
Multiple probes examine the allegations
The Badrinath Temple funds theft case has prompted investigations at several levels.
A police SIT is examining the allegations, while a high-level committee formed by the Uttarakhand government is conducting a separate inquiry.
The BKTC’s internal committee has also submitted its preliminary findings to the committee chairman. The developments followed Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s direction to establish a three-member high-level committee after the allegations emerged. The committee was asked to investigate the matter and submit its report to the state government.
Custodial confession does not prove guilt
Despite the reported confession, the case remains under investigation. A confession made while a person is in police custody cannot by itself be treated as legally admissible evidence in an Indian court.
Therefore, investigators will need to establish the allegations through admissible evidence. Such evidence includes financial records, recovered material, surveillance footage and other evidence collected during the probe.
The investigation will also determine whether the alleged irregularities involved only one individual or whether others had any role.
What happens next?
Nautiyal remains in judicial custody while investigators continue examining the alleged diversion of temple donations.
Authorities are expected to verify the recovered cash, silver items and other material while tracing the movement of funds from the donation-counting process. In addition, the investigation could also shed light on whether the alleged irregularities were limited to a particular incident or formed part of a wider pattern.
For now, the Badrinath Temple funds theft case remains an allegation under investigation. The final findings of the police and government inquiries, along with any court proceedings, will determine the legal outcome.
Curated news reports, in-depth analysis, and special features by India’s Opinion editorial team.
