Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended personal assistant to the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) chairman, has been apprehended by police in connection with the alleged misappropriation of donations at the revered Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand. Nautiyal's arrest follows an internal inquiry that indicated prima facie irregularities in the handling of devotee offerings.
Key Suspect in Badrinath Donation Irregularities
Police confirmed Nautiyal's arrest from his residence on Sunday night by Chamoli Police. He was subsequently transported to Badrinath for further questioning. Senior Superintendent of Police, Chamoli, Surjit Singh Panwar, identified Nautiyal as a suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, the statutory body responsible for managing the temple.
Investigation Uncovers Alleged Misappropriation
The case gained traction after allegations concerning the counting of donations at the Badrinath temple circulated on social media. A complaint lodged by the Bhairav Sena organization prompted an inquiry and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Nautiyal.
Authorities stated that CCTV footage allegedly depicted Nautiyal engaging in suspicious activities, including hiding or stealing cash, gold and silver coins, shaligram stones, and offering envelopes from the temple's donation counting room. An internal four-member inquiry committee formed by the BKTC found the allegations of irregularities in donation management against Nautiyal to be prima facie true, leading to his suspension.
Expanding Probe by Police and SIT
The investigation, initially a departmental inquiry into alleged irregularities during the counting of 'thali' offerings on July 2, 2026, has now escalated into a wider criminal proceeding. The police and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) are handling the probe, moving beyond the temple authorities' internal review.
Before his arrest, Nautiyal reportedly challenged both the FIR and his suspension in the High Court. Concurrently, the Uttarakhand government last week established its own three-member probe committee, chaired by the Garhwal division commissioner, to submit findings and recommendations to the state. The SIT has indicated that the investigation is ongoing, and further action may be taken against other individuals if evidence establishes their involvement.
With Nautiyal now in custody and undergoing questioning, the Badrinath donation theft case has transitioned from an internal temple-level inquiry to a comprehensive police investigation into the alleged financial irregularities.