Suspended Badrinath Temple Official Admits Role in Donation Theft

Pramod Nautiyal, a suspended official of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC), has reportedly confessed to his role in the alleged theft of donations from the temple. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttarakhand Police announced Nautiyal's admission on Friday.

During searches conducted while Nautiyal was in police custody, authorities recovered a significant amount of valuables. These included silver coins, various ornaments, Nepalese currency, and cash. Nautiyal, who previously served as the personal assistant to the BKTC chairman, was arrested on July 12.

His suspension from his duties occurred earlier, on July 7. This action was based on a preliminary report compiled by a committee that was specifically formed by the BKTC on July 2 to investigate the matter. While custodial confessions are not legally admissible as evidence in Indian courts, Nautiyal's statement is a key development in the ongoing investigation.

The Badrinath Temple is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site, and allegations of theft involving temple funds and donations have drawn considerable attention. The SIT's investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the alleged misappropriation and bring those responsible to justice.