By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 11 Jul: Official sources have claimed that the investigation into the alleged theft of offerings and donations at Badrinath shrine has gathered pace after a case was registered, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) currently focusing on evidence collection. The issue, which has become a major embarrassment for the Government and administration, continues to unfold with new developments, drawing public attention to every step of the probe.
Chamoli police have appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police Madan Singh Bisht as in-charge of the SIT, with Badrinath Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Mahadev Uniyal as the investigating officer. The team also includes SSI Prakash Bisht, Langasu outpost in-charge SI Dinesh Panwar and two personnel from the SOG. The Police have meanwhile claimed that the investigation will not be limited to confirming the incident but will examine every link of the sequence of events, subjecting facts to scientific and legal scrutiny.
Bisht said the inquiry is long and serious, which is why the SIT has sought detailed records from the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) for the past three years. The Police want to ascertain how much donation and offerings were received during this period, in what form, where they were kept, how they were counted and accounted and under which system the entire process was conducted. He added that the records are extensive and would require time to examine, but once analysed, they would help connect further links. The SIT is also stated to be focusing on technical evidence, including call detail records, email activity and bank accounts of the accused employee.
In addition to current staff, details of all officers and employees posted at Badrinath temple in the past three years have been sought to understand who held responsibilities during the period. The management process of offerings is being scrutinised thoroughly, and if any new facts or persons emerge, they will be brought within the ambit of investigation.
CCTV footage, considered a crucial piece of evidence, is being examined frame by frame. Bisht explained that since a commissioner-level inquiry is also underway, police will allow that process to conclude before formally seizing the footage for technical analysis. He noted that examining CCTV recordings is time-consuming, as an hour of footage can take three or more hours to review in detail, and police do not want to rush at any stage.
The SIT has also sought clarifications from the BKTC on eight to ten key points related to the incident. Statements of the accused employee and other staff are being recorded. Meanwhile, the temple committee’s internal inquiry team has reviewed CCTV footage from about 40 days ago and examined the arrangements linked to the counting of offerings, claiming its probe is in the final stage.
Bisht emphasised that the SIT’s focus remains on impartial and fact-based investigation of the case registered at Badrinath. He said that if any new person, place or fact is found connected to the matter, it will be included in the inquiry. He underlined that the case is extremely serious, and therefore every aspect of documentary, technical and circumstantial evidence is being tested. Once the investigation is complete, further legal action will be taken based on the evidence available.
The controversy has already led to multiple demands, including calls for a retired High Court judge to conduct an inquiry, protests by organisations and opposition leaders, and the formation of a high-level committee led by the Garhwal Commissioner. The case against BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal has brought the issue into sharp focus, with the alleged theft of offerings at Badrinath shrine now under simultaneous departmental and police investigation.
