Badrinath Temple Committee Orders Probe Into Donation Fund Irregularity Claims, Seeks Explanation From Staff

A letter viral on social media alleges tampering with donation money at Badrinath Dham, prompting the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee to form a probe panel and seek explanations from staff.

A fresh controversy has erupted around the world famous Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand. Even as the investigation into the donation theft case linked to the Ram Mandir remains unresolved, a letter circulating widely on social media has levelled serious allegations of tampering with donation and offering amounts collected at Badrinath Dham. Amid the growing dispute, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, known as BKTC, has ordered a full inquiry into the matter.

Chairman Hemant Dwivedi calls the allegations serious
BKTC chairman Hemant Dwivedi said the temple committee has taken these allegations extremely seriously. He said orders have been issued to form a separate investigation committee to conduct a fair, transparent and fact based probe into the entire matter. Explanations have also been sought from the concerned employees. Dwivedi also flatly denied a claim circulating on social media that an employee had been described as his personal secretary. He clarified that the individual in question is not his personal secretary but a regular government employee of BKTC. He warned that if the allegations are found true in the investigation, no guilty person will be spared and strict action will be taken as per the rules.

CCTV footage examined, but picture not fully clear
BKTC chief executive officer Sohan Singh Rangad said that based on a complaint received over the matter that has been viral on social media since July 2, CCTV footage from the Badrinath temple premises was examined. He said the available footage was not as clear as expected, but given the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, the information was immediately passed on to the BKTC chairman.

Internal panel formed, report to be based on evidence
According to Rangad, on the chairman's directions, clarifications are being sought from the concerned employees and an internal investigation committee is being formed for a detailed probe into the entire matter. The committee will submit its report based on the available evidence, CCTV footage and statements from the parties concerned.

Strict action under law if guilt is established
Rangad made clear that if any kind of irregularity or financial mismanagement is found during the investigation, strict legal and departmental action will be taken against the guilty under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and the Employee Conduct Rules. He appealed to people to avoid spreading any unverified or misleading allegations until the investigation is complete.

A matter tied to the faith of crores of devotees
Sohan Singh Rangad further said that this matter is directly connected to Badrinath Dham, one of the country's holiest pilgrimage sites, and to the faith of crores of devotees. He said it is everyone's responsibility to exercise restraint and respect religious sentiments until the facts are confirmed.

What this means for you
• Across India: Devotees who travel to Badrinath Dham from across the country will expect greater transparency from the temple administration in how donations and offerings are accounted for.
• In Uttarakhand: Staff of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee and the pilgrimage arrangements will remain under close scrutiny until the probe concludes.

Questions & Answers

1. How did the donation tampering allegation at Badrinath Dham surface?
A letter went viral on social media claiming that the donation and offering amounts received at Badrinath Dham were being tampered with.

2. What action has BKTC taken on the matter?
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has ordered the formation of a fair investigation panel and sought explanations from the concerned employees.

3. What did chairman Hemant Dwivedi say about the personal secretary claim?
He clarified that the employee described online as his personal secretary is actually a regular government employee of BKTC, not his personal secretary.

4. What did the CCTV footage review reveal?
CEO Sohan Singh Rangad said footage was examined over the complaint that went viral since July 2, but the available footage was not as clear as expected.

5. What action will be taken if guilt is established?
Strict legal and departmental action will be taken against the guilty under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and the Employee Conduct Rules.

6. When will the investigation be completed?
The article does not give a fixed timeline; an internal investigation committee is currently preparing its report based on evidence and statements.

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