The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Chamoli Police on Friday said suspended Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) personal assistant Pramod Nautiyal has confessed to his alleged involvement in the reported donation theft case at the Badrinath temple. Police officials said several items, including cash, silver coins and other valuables, were recovered during searches conducted while Nautiyal was in police custody. According to officials, the recoveries were made from the accommodation allotted to Nautiyal at Badrinath Dham.

Badrinath Station House Officer (SHO) Mahadev Uniyal said the recovered items included silver coins, small silver idols, silver tortoises, bundles of Nepalese currency notes and cash. "We recovered silver coins, small silver idols, small silver tortoises, bundles of Nepalese currency notes and some cash from his room. We are examining whether these are linked to the alleged misappropriation of temple donations," Uniyal said. Police said the recovery was made during the four-day custody period granted to the SIT as part of the ongoing investigation.

Officials are examining the seized materials to determine whether they are connected to the alleged theft of offerings and donations from the Badrinath shrine. The SIT has been investigating allegations of misappropriation of temple donations involving Nautiyal, who was suspended from his position as personal assistant at the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee. The committee manages administrative affairs related to the two prominent Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand.

Also Read: Suspended Temple Committee Employee Faces FIR In Badrinath Donation Row

During interrogation, police officials claimed that Nautiyal admitted to committing the offence. "He confessed to the crime during questioning," SHO Mahadev Uniyal said. However, the allegations and the confession claim remain part of the ongoing investigation and will be subject to further legal proceedings. The Badrinath temple, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites among Hindus, receives offerings from thousands of devotees every year. The management of donations and valuables at the shrine is handled through established administrative procedures, making allegations of financial irregularities a matter of serious concern.

Following the allegations, authorities launched an investigation to examine the movement of donations and valuables associated with the temple. The SIT has been collecting evidence, questioning individuals and analysing recovered items as part of the probe. Officials said the recovered silver articles and currencies are being examined to establish their source and determine whether they have any connection with the alleged theft. Investigators are also looking into records and other evidence related to the case.

The development comes as authorities continue efforts to ensure accountability in the management of religious institutions and their resources. Any further action against those involved will depend on the findings of the SIT investigation and the legal process. The police have not yet disclosed the complete details of the investigation, and further updates are expected as the SIT completes its inquiry. The case remains under investigation, with officials focusing on verifying the recovered materials and establishing the sequence of events.

Also Read: 2,305 New Mobile Towers Proposed In Chhattisgarh To Connect Remote Communities