The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has withheld the pension and all retirement benefits of retired temple official Rajendra Chauhan, who was arrested in connection with the alleged theft and misappropriation of devotees' offerings at the Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. The action was confirmed by BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangar, who said the decision was taken in accordance with applicable rules while the investigation into the high-profile case continues.
Chauhan, a former temple employee, was arrested earlier this month by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged disappearance of donations made by devotees at the shrine. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody by a court in Chamoli district. Investigators allege that temple offerings were misappropriated over a period of time, and the probe has since expanded to examine the handling of cash donations and other valuables collected at the temple.
The BKTC has also taken action against another accused employee, Pramod Nautiyal. According to the committee, Nautiyal, who remains under suspension, will receive only the monthly subsistence allowance as permitted under service rules until the legal proceedings are concluded. His bail plea was recently rejected by a Chamoli court, which observed that offences involving donations made by devotees at a place of worship have a serious impact on public faith and religious sentiments.
As part of the investigation, the SIT has conducted searches at Chauhan's residence and recovered foreign currency, expensive saffron and other materials. Officials said the accused has not fully cooperated regarding the alleged missing cash. The investigation team has also obtained an 18-page internal inquiry report prepared by the BKTC and is examining CCTV footage from multiple dates to trace the movement of temple offerings and identify any additional individuals who may have been involved.
Investigators have questioned senior BKTC officials, including CEO Sohan Singh Rangar and other temple functionaries, as they examine possible administrative lapses in the management of donations. Authorities have maintained that the inquiry is being carried out impartially and that further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the investigation.
The alleged donation theft has drawn widespread attention because the Badrinath Temple is one of India's most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites and receives offerings from lakhs of devotees every year. The SIT continues its investigation, with officials stating that ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of temple donations remains a priority.
