The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee has ordered an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities involving offerings at Badrinath Dham after claims surfaced on social media.
BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi denied reports that the employee at the centre of the allegations was his personal secretary and said action would be taken if any wrongdoing is established.
Temple authorities have reviewed CCTV footage, sought explanations from the employees concerned and proposed an internal inquiry committee to conduct a detailed investigation.
Amid the controversy over the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has ordered an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities involving offerings at Badrinath Dham.
BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi said the temple committee has taken allegations circulating on social media seriously and directed that an inquiry committee be constituted to investigate the matter. Explanations have also been sought from the employees concerned.
The move comes after an organisation called Bhairav Sena alleged financial irregularities at Badrinath Dham on Friday.
The group also demanded a fair investigation into an alleged case of financial misappropriation involving a person it described as the personal assistant of the Temple Committee Chairman.
BKTC Chief Rejects Claims About Staff Member
Responding to the allegations, BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi rejected claims circulating on social media that the employee in question was his personal secretary.
He clarified that the individual is a regular government employee of the BKTC who has previously served as a personal assistant to three former chairpersons of the Temple Committee.
Dwivedi said strict action would be taken if any employee was found guilty after the inquiry.
"After the investigation is completed, if any employee is found guilty, strict and effective action will be taken against them as per rules," he said.
CCTV Footage Reviewed
BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad said CCTV footage from the Badrinath Temple premises had been reviewed following the allegations.
"The available footage does not have the required clarity. However, given the seriousness and sensitivity of the issue, the BKTC Chairman has been apprised of the entire matter," he said.
According to Rangad, explanations are being sought from the employees concerned, and a proposal to constitute an internal inquiry committee has been sent to the chairman.
Committee to Conduct Detailed Probe
The CEO said the proposed inquiry committee would examine all available evidence and statements before submitting its report.
He added that if the investigation establishes any irregularities, statutory and departmental action will be taken under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and the Employee Conduct Rules.
Rangad also appealed to the public not to circulate unverified or misleading allegations, saying the issue concerns the faith of millions of devotees.
