Former Badrinath Temple Officer Arrested in Donation Theft Probe
SIT arrests Rajendra Chauhan after questioning over CCTV footage allegedly showing cash diversion
- Former temple officer Rajendra Chauhan arrested by SIT.
- CCTV footage allegedly shows him pocketing cash bundles.
- BKTC’s 18-page inquiry report submitted to investigators.
- Probe into alleged donation theft at Badrinath Temple intensifies.
GG News Bureau
Dehradun, 17th July: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft of donations at the Badrinath Temple has arrested former temple officer Rajendra Chauhan after nearly four hours of questioning over his alleged role in the case.
According to investigators, Chauhan is one of the key suspects and was questioned based on CCTV footage that allegedly shows him collecting bundles of cash and keeping them in his pocket on June 22, June 25 and June 29. He will be produced before a court on July 18 for further proceedings.
The arrest comes as the SIT intensifies its investigation with fresh evidence, including an 18-page internal inquiry report submitted by the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC).
Police said the SIT has recovered and analysed CCTV footage from June 22 and June 25, while footage from June 29 and July 2 has also been fully recovered and is under examination. Investigators said the latest footage has helped identify additional suspects in the alleged theft of temple donations.
Earlier this week, a committee constituted to examine the handling of donations visited Badrinath Dham to review the collection, transportation and counting of offerings. The SIT also questioned Temple Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad and his personal assistant Atul Dimri as part of the investigation into possible lapses in oversight.
Investigators continue to scrutinise CCTV records, operational logs and the daily handling of donations as the probe into the alleged misappropriation of temple funds progresses.
