The inquiry comes after allegations of financial irregularities in the handling of devotees’ offerings surfaced on social media, prompting the temple administration to seek explanations from employees and order a formal investigation.
BY PC Bureau
Juny 4, 2026: The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has ordered an inquiry into allegations of financial irregularities involving donations at the Badrinath temple after claims circulating on social media raised concerns over the handling of devotees’ offerings.
BKTC President Hemant Dwivedi said the temple committee was treating the allegations with utmost seriousness and had directed the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate the matter. Explanations have also been sought from the employees concerned.
The move comes at a time when allegations of embezzlement of donations at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya have sparked a nationwide debate over financial transparency and accountability in religious institutions.
The controversy in Uttarakhand gained momentum after an organisation, Bhairav Sena, alleged financial irregularities at Badrinath Dham and demanded an impartial investigation into an alleged misappropriation case involving an employee associated with the Temple Committee Chairman’s office.
Dwivedi, however, rejected claims on social media identifying the employee as his personal secretary. He clarified that the individual is a regular government employee of the BKTC who had earlier served as a personal assistant to three former chairpersons of the committee.
BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad said CCTV footage from the temple premises had been reviewed following the allegations, but the available recordings lacked the clarity required to verify the claims conclusively.
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He said the matter had been placed before the Chairman, explanations had been sought from the employees concerned, and a proposal had been submitted to constitute an internal inquiry committee for a detailed and impartial investigation.
According to the CEO, the committee will examine all available evidence, documents and statements before submitting its report. If any irregularities are established, action will be taken under the provisions of the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, and the applicable employee conduct rules.
Appealing for restraint, Rangad urged the public to avoid spreading unverified allegations, noting that the issue concerns the faith of millions of devotees and should be handled with responsibility until the inquiry is completed.
