In the alleged theft of offerings from Shri Badrinath Dham temple, the pension and other retirement benefits of former temple official Rajendra Chauhan have been withheld. Chauhan was arrested in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, temple employee Pramod Nautiyal, who was earlier arrested in the case on the night of July 12, will receive only the monthly subsistence allowance allowed under service rules. Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) CEO Sohan Singh Rangar confirmed the development.
In another development, Nautiyal has been sent to four days of police custody. The order was passed by the Judicial Magistrate at Jyotirmath.
Earlier, on July 18, Chauhan was sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a court in Chamoli district. The move came as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) stepped up its investigation into the alleged theft of temple offerings.
Chauhan was presented before Civil Judge (Junior Division) and In-charge Judicial Magistrate, Jyoshimath, Heena Kausar. After completing the required legal procedures, the court sent him to judicial custody for 14 days.
Uttarakhand Police arrested Chauhan as part of its probe into the alleged theft of donations from the temple. Officials said the investigation is still underway and further action will be based on the evidence gathered.
As part of the investigation, police also searched Chauhan's premises in the Badrinath Dham area. The searches led to the recovery of foreign currency, costly saffron and some other items. Police carried out the raids based on information they said was given by Chauhan during questioning.
SIT Investigation Officer Mahadev Uniyal said several items had been recovered during the searches. However, he said Chauhan was not providing information about the missing cash.
The SIT has also obtained an 18-page internal inquiry report prepared by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). The report is now part of the ongoing investigation.
Uttarakhand Police said investigators have recovered and examined CCTV footage from June 22 and June 25. Footage from June 29 and July 2 has also been collected and is being analysed. Police said the newly examined footage has helped the SIT identify more people who may be linked to the alleged theft.
The SIT has also questioned Badrinath Temple CEO Sohan Singh Rangad and his Personal Assistant Atul Dimri over alleged lapses in supervision. Investigators have also checked operational records and CCTV footage to track how the temple offerings were handled and moved.
Also read: Badrinath theft: Accused maintains innocence; SIT seeks custody
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