- Chairman's PA Pramod Nautiyal charged illegal VIP darshan fees.
- Devotees paid Rs 1,100 for unapproved VIP entry.
- Authorities included the matter in a departmental investigation.
Jagran Correspondent, Gopeshwar: Following recent controversy over donations at Badrinath Dham, a new issue regarding illegal extortion fees for VIP darshan has emerged.
Under official regulations, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) is the sole authority that can set rates for worship and other services. However, the accused, Pramod Nautiyal, a personal assistant in the chairman's office, allegedly ran an unauthorised VIP entry scheme, charging devotees Rs 1,100 each for VIP darshan without any approval from the temple committee.
Probe Launched After VIP Darshan Fees Charged Without Approval
According to a report by Jagran.com, a major surge in devotees during May and June caused darshan wait times to stretch into hours. Despite the heavy crowds, the temple committee maintained its policy of providing VIP darshan arrangements free of charge during this period.
However, on June 29, a fee of Rs 1,100 per devotee was charged for VIP darshan without any proposal being presented to the temple committee board.
The move immediately drew objections from both the temple's legal holders and the performing priests. Following these objections, authorities included the matter in an ongoing departmental investigation.
"No proposal regarding VIP darshan fees was discussed in the committee's board meeting. The meeting only decided to increase the puja fee," Jagran.com quoted BKTC Vice President Kishore Panwar as saying.
A senior temple committee official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that charging any fee without a board resolution directly violates the Act. The official further stated that if implementing a VIP darshan fee was urgent, the temple committee could have convened an online meeting.
BKTC Suspends Pramod Nautiyal, Files Case
Earlier on Wednesday, the BKTC departmental inquiry panel suspended Pramod Nautiyal. The committee, which arrived at the shrine on Tuesday, flagged Nautiyal's role as suspicious during its initial investigation and immediately informed senior officials. Without any delay, the BKTC administration suspended Nautiyal.
Following the suspension, police have filed a case against him at the Badrinath police station. Based on a written complaint by Yudhveer Pushpavan, temple officer of BKTC, an FIR was registered at the Badrinath police station on July 8, 2026, under sections 306 and 316(5) of the Indian Penal Code ( BNS ), 2023.
(With Inputs From Jagran.com)