Suspended BKTC employee arrested in Badrinath donation irregularities case

Published 13 July 2026 · india

The Uttarakhand Police have arrested Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), in connection with the alleged irregularities in the

The Uttarakhand Police have arrested Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), in connection with the alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Badrinath temple. Chamoli Senior Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar confirmed that Mr. Nautiyal was arrested from Dehradun on Sunday night and was subsequently taken to Badrinath for questioning. A four-member inquiry committee constituted by the BKTC had found prima facie merit in allegations of irregularities in the management and counting of temple donations.

The controversy came to light after allegations of irregularities in the counting of donations at the Badrinath temple circulated on social media. Following this, a right-wing organisation, Bhairav Sena, filed a complaint seeking an investigation, after which an FIR was registered on July 8. In the FIR, Mr. Nautiyal was accused of misappropriation and theft of offerings made by devotees at the temple. He was serving as the personal assistant to the BKTC chairman. The BKTC is a statutory body responsible for administering the Badrinath temple and several other shrines in Uttarakhand.

The police have recovered a Shaligram stone and a laptop from the accused during the arrest, but no cash was found. As the matter drew criticism, the State government set up a separate three-member committee last week to investigate the issue. The panel, headed by the Garhwal Divisional Commissioner, has been tasked with submitting its findings and recommendations to the government. Political row erupts The arrest has triggered a political row in the State. Congress State president Ganesh Godiyal questioned the probe, alleging that efforts were being made to prevent the accused from naming others allegedly linked to the case.

BJP MP and former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat described the incident as "unfortunate" and demanded that the guilty must be punished. He also said the Devasthanam board, constituted during his tenure, would have averted thefts like this. BJP State president Mahendra Bhatt termed the alleged misappropriation of temple donations a “grave sin” and said no one found guilty would be spared.