The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is intensifying its probe into the alleged offering theft at Badrinath Dham, with investigators now cross-checking the recovered cash and valuables against official temple records.
According to records accessed by the SIT, offerings and jewellery donated by devotees were counted 34 times between the opening of the temple doors on April 23 and July 2.
During this period, devotees donated more than Rs 36 crore in cash to Lord Badri Vishal. The valuation of the jewellery and precious stones offered at the shrine is still underway.
Donation Records Under Examination
The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has handed over donation records covering the past three months to the SIT. The documents show that by July 21, devotees had donated Rs 37.56 crore in cash to the temple. This figure does not include jewellery donations.
Records also reveal that during the 34 counting sessions held up to July 2, Rs 36.02 crore was collected from 26 donation boxes.
Missing CCTV Footage Raises Questions
The SIT currently has access to CCTV footage from only 13 days, including recordings of the counting process on June 22, June 25, June 29, and July 2.
Investigators claim they have found evidence of alleged irregularities in the handling of donations and jewellery in every counting session examined so far. They believe recovery of the remaining CCTV footage could expose a much larger scam.
While the BKTC had earlier maintained that 32 days of CCTV footage was safely stored, it has now reportedly stated that the footage was lost due to technical reasons. Chamoli Superintendent of Police Surjeet Singh Panwar said the SIT is working round the clock to retrieve the missing recordings.
SIT Seeks Custodial Remand Of Main Accused Again
The investigation has also found that the same officials, who are now under suspicion, were involved in all 34 counting sessions. Each counting process was supervised by Pramod Nautiyal, the personal assistant and the main accused in the case, who is currently in judicial custody.
On Tuesday, the SIT once again moved the district court seeking Nautiyal's custodial remand for further questioning.
SP Panwar said the court has fixed Thursday for the hearing, adding that custodial interrogation of the accused is crucial to uncover more facts in the case. Notably, this is the third time the SIT has approached the court seeking Nautiyal's remand. Its previous two requests were rejected.