Probe
Badrinath Temple donation theft case: Key accused Pramod Nautiyal arrested in major breakthrough
Dehradun/IBNS: In a major breakthrough in the Badrinath Temple donation theft case, the Uttarakhand Police on Sunday night arrested the prime accused, Pramod Nautiyal, from his residence in Dehradun, media reports said.
Accused Taken to Badrinath for Questioning
Following his arrest, Nautiyal was taken to Badrinath, where he is being questioned over alleged irregularities in the handling of donations received at the temple.
CCTV Footage Allegedly Captured Theft
Police had earlier claimed that CCTV footage showed Nautiyal allegedly stealing valuables, including cash, gold and silver coins, from the temple's donation collection.
According to investigators, the footage showed Nautiyal repeatedly entering and leaving the donation counting room before proceeding to his office.
He was also allegedly seen handing over envelopes suspected to contain cash.
BKTC Assistant Suspended After Preliminary Probe
Nautiyal served as the personal assistant to the chairman of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), the body responsible for managing the Badrinath Temple and several other shrines in Uttarakhand.
He was suspended after a preliminary inquiry found his alleged involvement in financial irregularities linked to temple donations.
A four-member committee constituted by the BKTC also reportedly found prima facie evidence suggesting Nautiyal's involvement in the alleged embezzlement of temple funds.
High Court to Hear Plea on July 17
Nautiyal has challenged both his suspension and the First Information Report (FIR) registered against him before the Uttarakhand High Court.
The High Court is scheduled to hear his petition on July 17.
Temple Donation Security Under Spotlight
The alleged embezzlement at the Badrinath Temple has once again brought the security of donations at prominent religious shrines into focus.
The issue gained wider attention following reports of alleged irregularities and theft complaints linked to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir.
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