WHAT TRIGGERED THE INQUIRY
BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi said the temple committee has taken allegations circulating on social media seriously and has ordered the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the matter, adding that explanations have also been sought from the employees concerned. Dwivedi also refuted a separate claim circulating on social media that identified a specific employee as his "personal secretary."
HOW THE INQUIRY WILL WORK
BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangar said the inquiry committee will submit its report based on available evidence, CCTV footage and statements from the parties concerned. He said that if any irregularities come to light, legal and departmental action will be taken against those found guilty under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and applicable employee conduct rules. Rangar also appealed to the public to refrain from spreading unverified or misleading allegations until the investigation concludes.
A Wider Precautionary Order
A day before the inquiry was announced, the BKTC had already moved to tighten controls across all its temples. In an order issued Thursday, July 2, CEO Rangar instructed all officials and employees posted at donation and offering counting centres, accounts branches, treasury sections, guest houses, and puja counters at Badrinath, Kedarnath, and all other temples managed by the committee to exercise heightened vigilance. The directive mandates complete transparency in the collection, safekeeping, and accounting of donations and offerings, and warns that any complaint or irregularity detected in future will result in strict disciplinary action against the responsible official or employee. It has been circulated to officers in charge of Badrinath and Kedarnath, the Thali Bhent in-charge, accountants, treasurers, and managers of all guest houses under the committee.
The Ayodhya Case That Set This Off
The BKTC's move follows a widening controversy at the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust in Ayodhya, where a Special Investigation Team is probing an alleged donation embezzlement running into crores of rupees. The controversy began after an FIR was registered on June 25, following which former trust General Secretary Champat Rai and trustee Anil Mishra resigned, taking moral responsibility for the issue. The state's SIT has since been granted a 15-day extension to widen the scope of its investigation. Separately, the Faizabad Bar Association has filed a complaint with Ayodhya Police naming Champat Rai, Anil Mishra and administrator Gopal Rao, among others, in connection with the alleged financial irregularities.
Current Status
No findings have been announced from the Badrinath inquiry, and the BKTC has not named any individual employee as a suspect. The committee's leadership has framed the move as precautionary and evidence-driven, pending the outcome of the internal probe.