By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 July: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged misappropriation of offerings and donations at the Badrinath Temple has made another significant arrest with the detention of former Temple Officer Rajendra Chauhan. Chauhan, who only recently retired from service on 30 June, was taken into custody after prolonged questioning today, making him the second person to be arrested in the case after Badri-Kedar Temple Committee employee Pramod Nautiyal.
According to official sources, Chauhan has been brought from Joshimath to Badrinath for interrogation. Following an extensive round of questioning, the SIT arrested him on the basis of the evidence that had emerged during the investigation. The police claim that, like the main accused Pramod Nautiyal, Chauhan was also allegedly involved in the misappropriation of temple offerings and donation money. He will be produced before the court tomorrow.
Confirming the arrest, Badrinath SHO Mahadev Uniyal said former Temple Officer Rajendra Chauhan was questioned for several hours before being taken into custody. He added that the accused would be produced before the competent court tomorrow.
Meanwhile, CCTV footage examined during the investigation has reportedly revealed the presence of several other suspected individuals. The SIT has identified these persons and is expected to question them to ascertain their role in the alleged embezzlement. Attention is now focused on who else may face legal action as the investigation progresses.
It may be recalled that the donation misappropriation row had first come to light on 3 July when Bhairav Sena founder Sandeep Khatri made sensational allegations regarding the alleged theft of offerings at the Badrinath Temple. He alleged that an employee of the Shri Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC) had been siphoning off donation money collected at the shrine. Khatri also submitted a written complaint to the Temple Committee seeking an inquiry, following which the matter came into the public domain.
After the allegations surfaced, BKTC Chairman Hemant Dwivedi ordered an internal inquiry and constituted a four-member committee to investigate the matter. The state government also subsequently constituted a three-member high-level committee, while the police also registered an FIR and launched a parallel criminal investigation. Following the registration of the case, the police arrested Temple Committee employee Pramod Nautiyal, the first accused in the case. With the arrest of Rajendra Chauhan today, the investigation is now stated to have made another significant progress.
It may be recalled that the investigation into the alleged theft of offerings and donation money at the Badrinath Temple has now entered what is now being claimed to be a decisive stage. The SIT claims to have secured all the crucial evidence provided by the Temple Committee, including an 18-page internal inquiry report and CCTV footage recorded on different dates.
According to sources, the police have obtained CCTV footage dated 22, 25 and 29 June and 2 July. During scrutiny of the footage, investigators have identified several persons whose presence at the spot has been considered suspicious. The SIT will now question all these persons to determine their role, if any, in the alleged offence.
SHO Mahadev Uniyal claimed that all the crucial evidence connected with the investigation, including the CCTV footage and the 18-page internal inquiry report, has been secured by the police. He said the identities of the people seen in the footage has also been established and every aspect of the case is being examined thoroughly.
The focus of the investigation has now shifted to determining whether more persons were involved in the alleged manipulation of offerings and donation money. The SIT is also examining the extent of the alleged irregularities and whether they were carried out through the involvement or connivance of others at different levels.
At the same time, BKTC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sohan Singh Rangar has also confirmed that the Committee had handed over its 18-page internal inquiry report along with all the available evidence to the police and he claimed that the BKTC is extending full cooperation to the investigation. All eyes are now on the SIT’s final report. If the investigation establishes the involvement of any additional people, legal action will be initiated against them in accordance with law.
