Badrinath Dham Donation Scam: Major action in Badrinath Dham donation rigging case; Cashier removed, ‘overwriting’ found in silver records

Administrative and legal action has intensified in the case of manipulation in donations and offerings in Badrinath Dham, one of the famous Chardhams of Uttarakhand. Just after the arrest of Pramod Nautiyal, the accused personal assistant of Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BKTC), now the cashier of the temple committee, Sandesh Mehta, has been removed from his post with immediate effect and a show cause notice has been issued to him.

Along with this, the involvement of three other employees of the temple committee and an influential devotee working in the Vishnuprayag project has also been confirmed in this entire financial scam, which has created a stir in the temple administration.

Overwriting found in records: Cashier sent to puja counter

The high-level investigation committee headed by Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup itself reached Badrinath Dham on Tuesday (14 July 2026). When the Commissioner, along with SIT in-charge and DSP Madan Bisht and BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Rangar, scrutinized the main documents of counting of donations, large scale ‘overwriting’ (truncation) was found in the silver records. As soon as this serious financial negligence came to light, the temple committee removed Treasurer Sandesh Mehta from his post and transferred him to a general puja counter.

Devotee’s act captured in CCTV: material put in pocket

The main focus of the investigation by the SIT and the high level committee currently rests on the counting of offerings made from June 25 to July 2, 2026. According to sources, in a CCTV footage of June 25, a devotee was seen red-handed putting some material in his pocket very cleverly during the counting.

Investigation has identified the devotee as an employee of Vishnuprayag Project, who was often involved in the donation counting process of the temple due to his VIP contacts. SIT is now preparing to take this devotee into custody and interrogate him.

Many big officials under investigation: Not 5, there are 26 donation boxes in the temple

Another shocking revelation in this case has come regarding the donation boxes of the temple. Till now it was being officially told that there are only 5 donation boxes in the temple premises, but investigation revealed that there are 2 donation boxes inside the sanctum sanctorum of Badrinath temple, 3 in the premises and a total of 26 donation boxes at various places including Singhdwar. All these donation boxes are emptied and counted together. Sources say that despite being aware of this misappropriation, the mysterious silence of many senior officials has also brought their role under suspicion, due to which it is certain that some big faces will be in trouble in the coming days.

Calculation will be transparent: Now money will be counted in a circle of glass and mesh.

BKTC CEO Sohan Singh Rangar said that on suspicion of irregularities, the cashier has been removed and a notice has been served and notices are also being sent to the three suspected employees. Along with this, on the instructions of Garhwal Commissioner, new security arrangements are now being made to make the counting of offerings at Badrinath Dham completely transparent and secure:

• Security Cabin: Where donated money and jewelery are counted, half of the counting area will be covered with strong glass and the other half will be covered with iron mesh.

• Deploying Guards: Now special security guards will be deployed at the main entrance of the counting room, so that no unauthorized person can come in or out.

• Record to SDM: The Commissioner has given strict instructions that every small and big documentary record related to the census should be made available to the high level committee through SDM Jyotirmath (Joshimath).