The inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of donations at Badrinath Temple has gathered pace, with authorities widening the probe into the suspected financial irregularities.
A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) visited the temple to investigate the case. The team began its inquiry by examining the donation management system and meeting key officials.
The SIT, headed by Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop and comprising senior finance and administrative officers, started its on-site investigation to understand how temple offerings were collected and handled.
As part of the probe, investigators questioned Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad and his Personal Assistant, Atul Dimri. They sought information about the donation counting process and administrative procedures.
The team also inspected the temple's CCTV control room. Officials reviewed surveillance footage, checked records and examined the system used to monitor the handling of donations.
Meanwhile, the criminal investigation is also progressing. Suspended BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by the District and Sessions Court in Gopeshwar and lodged in Pursadi District Jail.
The investigation has now widened beyond the main accused. While examining CCTV footage recorded on June 25, investigators noticed the movements of several other BKTC employees inside the donation counting room and found some of their actions suspicious.
Police have seized the relevant CCTV footage and are questioning those employees as part of the investigation. Officials are also examining the money trail to determine whether anyone else was involved in the alleged misappropriation.
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