SIT files charge sheet against three in Badrinath shrine donation embezzlement case

A Special Investigation Team probing the alleged misappropriation of donations at the Badrinath shrine submitted a charge sheet on October 9 before civil judge Heena Kausar. The document names three accused: suspended BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal, retired BKTC worker Rajendra Singh Chauhan, and security guard Manoj Kumar, who is currently out on bail. Nautiyal and Chauhan were responsible for tallying cash and items from donation boxes and depositing them into state or temple accounts, and are charged under Sections 306, 316(5), 317(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Kumar faces charges under Sections 305, 317(2) and 61(2) for exploiting the counting process to steal offerings. Police have recovered seized cash and items, but forensic analysis of CCTV footage is still pending, with only four of 34 counting sessions reviewed so far. The FIR was lodged on July 8 after a complaint of financial irregularities during the pilgrimage season.