DEHRADUN: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing alleged irregularities in devotees’ offerings at the Badrinath Temple is set to record statements of members of the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and collect CCTV footage from the shrine premises as the investigation gathers pace.The probe follows allegations that cash was removed from the counting area in violation of established procedures earlier this month.According to police officials, BKTC members who fail to appear before the SIT on Saturday will be summoned at a later date for questioning.“SIT to record the statement of Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) members today.Those members not present today will be summoned to record their statement. SIT will also collect a copy of the CCTV footage.The collection of CCTV footage is being done partly as the CCTV data is around 8 TB,” said the official.The investigation is linked to alleged discrepancies detected during the counting of cash offerings made by devotees at the Badrinath Temple.Police are examining CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the probe.Meanwhile, suspended BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal has moved the Uttarakhand High Court, challenging both his suspension and the FIR lodged against him in connection with the case.The matter came up before Justice Alok Mehra on Friday, with the court directing the BKTC to clarify its stand.The next hearing has been scheduled for July 16.Following his suspension, Nautiyal was attached to the BKTC office in Joshimath but failed to report for duty.BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad had earlier said the committee had been unable to establish contact with him since the suspension.CCTV footage from the premises allegedly showed Nautiyal leaving the counting room with what appeared to be a bundle of currency notes concealed beneath a mobile phone.After the footage surfaced on social media, the BKTC initiated a departmental inquiry.Acting on directions from BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi, a four-member committee conducted a preliminary probe and found prima facie evidence of irregularities against Nautiyal.He was subsequently suspended and served a notice seeking his response within 48 hours.Based on a complaint filed by BKTC in-charge temple officer Yudhveer Pushpawan, an FIR was registered against Nautiyal at Badrinath police station.The case is currently being investigated on three fronts – by the police SIT, the BKTC’s departmental inquiry committee and a high-level panel headed by the Garhwal commissioner.On Thursday, BKTC finance controller Hem Kandpal sought to distance the temple body from the controversy, saying the alleged actions of a single employee should not be seen as a reflection of the committee’s institutional integrity.The controversy began on July 2 after alleged irregularities were detected during the counting of cash offerings made by devotees at the Badrinath Temple.A preliminary inquiry found that cash was allegedly removed from the counting area between 9 am and 9:30 am, in violation of established procedures.Acting on the directions of BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi, a four-member inquiry committee conducted a preliminary investigation and found prima facie evidence of irregularities against Nautiyal.Based on its findings, the committee suspended him with immediate effect and issued a notice seeking his reply within 48 hours.Following a complaint lodged by BKTC In-charge Temple Officer Yudhveer Pushpawan, an FIR was registered against Nautiyal at Badrinath Police Station.The case is currently being investigated at three levels: by the police Special Investigation Team (SIT), the BKTC’s departmental inquiry committee, and a high-level committee headed by the Garhwal Commissioner.On Thursday, Finance Controller for the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), Hem Kandpal, came forward to address the ongoing controversy regarding the alleged diversion of temple offerings, emphasising that the actions of a single staffer do not reflect the institutional integrity of the committee.(With ANI inputs)
