- The accused official was seen carrying bundles of notes under his mobile phone.
- CCTV cameras replaced on July 1, raising suspicion
- Temple committee formed investigation team into allegations.
Correspondent, Gopeshwar: The issue of alleged misappropriation of donations at Badrinath Dham is gaining momentum. Meanwhile, the CCTV cameras installed at Badrinath Dham were replaced on July 1. While the timing of the replacement is being linked to the ongoing allegations, the temple committee administration has said that the change was a routine procedure for installing high-powered cameras.
“New cameras with higher capacity were installed at the Badrinath Temple on July 1. The DPRs for the old cameras are safe,” said Sohan Singh Rangad, CEO of the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee.
Investigation Team Formed
The accused official allegedly interfered in the counting of cash and other jewellery and materials collected in donation boxes at the temple. The Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee has formed an investigation team consisting of Financial Officer Hem Kandpal, Senior Administrative Officer Kedarnath Dabar Singh Bhujwan, Chief Administrative Officer Rajan Naithani, and Law Officer Shishupal Singh Batrwal.
Multiple Complaints Were Raised
Complaints of misappropriation of donations at the temple had been surfacing for several days. A sadhu present in the temple premises witnessed the misappropriation during the counting and protested. The accused official was seen carrying bundles of notes under his mobile phone. The counting took place from 8 am to 1:30 pm on the day of the incident.
Temple Has 5 Donation Boxes
The temple has five donation boxes, two in the sanctum sanctorum and three in the temple's circumambulation area. During the count, the donation boxes are brought out and emptied one by one. On the day of the incident, the donations were being counted from these five donation boxes. These donation boxes, in addition to cash, also contain jewellery, which are counted separately.
Cash is kept in the bank, and jewellery and other items are kept in the treasury. According to Jagran sources, over Rs 16 lakh were counted from donation boxes on the day of the incident.
Previously, 16 cameras were installed to monitor the temple complex and its surroundings. On July 1, the CCTV cameras were also replaced. Now, 32 CCTV cameras have been installed, each with a six-megapixel sensor. Previously, there were two-megapixel cameras.
Sohan Singh Rangad further said, “The investigation team is investigating the matter. CCTV recordings will be made available to the investigation committee. The investigation committee will also identify the person who carried the note hidden under the mobile phone.”