Badrinath donation row: Congress questions government's actions

Dehradun, Jul 8 (PTI) A major row has erupted over the alleged misappropriation of devotees’ offerings at Badrinath Dham, prompting the Congress to question the government’s actions, while the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) maintained a firm stance. The statutory body, which manages the shrine, said an impartial enquiry is underway and that the guilty in connection with alleged irregularities in the handling of donations will not be spared at any cost. Earlier in the day, the chief minister said, "This is a sin akin to cow slaughter. It is a heinous crime, just like killing one's own parents. It is unforgivable, and the law will take its course." Ganesh Godiyal, former chairman of the BKTC and the state Congress president, said the Congress is not satisfied with the government's actions, alleging that an impartial enquiry cannot be expected from the probe committee constituted under the temple committee. He demanded the formation of an all-party committee to investigate the matter, suggesting the chairmanship be entrusted to an opposition MLA or leader. He proposed that Congress MLA Lakhpat Butola from Badrinath lead the enquiry to maintain public trust. On the appointment of Pramod Nautiyal, who is accused of stealing offerings and previously worked with Godiyal, the Congress leader said all promotions during his tenure were based on seniority and established rules. He said assigning specific duties to employees was the responsibility of the then-Chairman and the administration. He alleged that the current Chairman is attempting to evade his own responsibility by invoking his name. Dismissing the Congress allegations, BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi said as soon as the complaint was received on July 3, explanations were sought from the concerned employees. He said CCTV footage was secured, and a four-member enquiry committee was constituted. Following the discovery of irregularities during the preliminary investigation, the concerned employee was suspended, and an FIR was lodged against him. The FIR was lodged late Tuesday night against Pramod Nautiyal, who served as the Personal Assistant to the BKTC chairman, under Section 306 (theft by an employee of their employer's property) and Section 316(5) (criminal breach of trust by specific trustees) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, police said. Dwivedi said following the chief minister's directives, a high-level enquiry committee headed by the Garhwal Commissioner has been constituted to conduct an impartial investigation into the entire matter. He assured that there would be no compromise regarding the devotees' faith and that strict action would be taken against the guilty. Regarding allegations that Nautiyal served as the Personal Secretary to the BKTC Chairman, Dwivedi said the individual is a regular employee of the temple committee and that staff deployment during the Yatra follows the duty roster. He said the employee had been assigned duty in the counting room last year as well, and that this is a completely routine administrative procedure. Dwivedi brushed aside allegations regarding the deletion of CCTV footage or the replacement of cameras. He said all old recordings are safe and no footage has been destroyed. He said the counting room initially had 16 cameras, but the number subsequently increased to 32 high-resolution cameras. Dhami described it as an unforgivable act. The chief minister said police have registered an FIR and initiated an investigation. A high-level committee is also probing the matter and anyone found guilty will not be spared at any cost. PTI DHM ASD