Dehradun: A criminal case has been filed against Pramod Nautiyal, who worked as a personal assistant in the office of the chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), after allegations that he diverted offerings made at Badrinath Dham for personal use, ANI reported.
The complaint, lodged by the BKTC at Badrinath Police Station, led to an FIR under Sections 306 and 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. According to the committee’s submission, the charges arose from events on July 2 when offerings collected in the Thali Bhent (donation plate) were being counted. A preliminary review by BKTC found that money had been stealthily taken from the donation-counting centre during a 30-minute interval between 9:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Suspension After Prima Facie Findings
Following the initial findings, BKTC suspended Nautiyal and initiated formal action. An order issued by the committee states a show-cause notice was served on him on July 3 after “prima facie allegations of serious irregularities in the discharge of his official duties” emerged. A four-member inquiry panel was set up to examine the matter in detail.
Inquiry Panel Backs Action
After considering the employee’s explanation and the inquiry committee’s preliminary report, the committee concluded the allegations were prima facie substantiated and recommended disciplinary measures. It noted that allowing Nautiyal to remain in his post could “potentially influence or hamper the ongoing inquiry,” and therefore placed him under immediate suspension.
Suspension Terms & Restrictions
During the suspension, Nautiyal will receive subsistence allowance as per rules and has been attached to the BKTC office in Joshimath, Chamoli district. He is barred from leaving the headquarters without prior approval from competent authorities and must fully cooperate with the probe and any disciplinary proceedings.
State-Level Probe Ordered
Meanwhile, in response to the complaints about irregularities in donations and offerings at Badrinath Dham, the Uttarakhand government — acting on instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami — has set up a three-member high-level committee to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
