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A police team brought Rajendra Chauhan from Jyotirmath to Badrinath Police Station for questioning on July 17, following which he was arrested. (Credits: Wikimedia Commons)
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted to probe the alleged financial irregularities involving cash and offerings collected through thali bhent at Badrinath Dham has arrested an official, the second accused alleged to be involved in the case.
According to the police, an FIR was registered at Badrinath Police Station following a complaint. During the initial investigation, and on the basis of available evidence, the police arrested the named accused, Pramod Nautiyal, on July 12. He is currently in judicial custody.
Police said that the SIT conducted a detailed analysis of CCTV footage from the thali bhent counting room across multiple dates and recorded statements of witnesses. “The investigation revealed that Rajendra Chauhan, a permanent employee of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and the then temple officer and in charge of the offering plate counting process, allegedly conspired with Pramod Nautiyal to misappropriate part of the cash and other offerings received during the counting process,” police said in a communication.
The CCTV footage from June 22, 25 and 29, allegedly shows Rajendra Chauhan on several occasions placing bundles of Rs 500 notes, donated items and jewellery into his pockets. Based on the electronic evidence and other material collected, Section 61(2)(a) of the BNS was added to the case, and Rajendra Chauhan was identified as a co-accused.
A police team brought Rajendra Chauhan from Jyotirmath to Badrinath Police Station for questioning on July 17, following which he was arrested.
Nautiyal was arrested after the investigation revealed that, at different times, he allegedly removed Rs 500 currency notes, packets containing gold and silver coins, a Shaligram stone, and a packet of saffron from the counting room and illegally took them into his possession. The BKTC had earlier taken disciplinary action by suspending Nautiyal. According to the order issued by the committee, a show-cause notice was served to Nautiyal on July 3, after allegations of irregularities in the discharge of his official duties came to light.
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