Badrinath Temple Donation Probe: Suspended Employee Found Prima Facie Guilty

In a development regarding the handling of donations at the Badrinath Dham, a staffer in the office of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman has been suspended following alleged irregularities.

The committee suspended Pramod Nautiyal, a personal assistant, on the basis of a preliminary inquiry. According to an order issued by the BKTC, a show-cause notice was served to Nautiyal on July 3 after allegations of misconduct surfaced. A four-member inquiry committee was formed to investigate the matter.

The committee's preliminary report, along with Nautiyal's explanation, found the allegations prima facie valid. The report recommended disciplinary action, stating that allowing him to continue in his current role could potentially influence or obstruct the ongoing investigation.

The BKTC has not yet announced further details of the irregularities. The suspension is a procedural step to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.

Badrinath Dham, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand, receives significant donations and offerings from devotees. The committee oversees the management of these funds. The suspension reflects the committee's effort to maintain transparency and accountability in its operations.

Further action will be taken based on the final inquiry report.