Rajendra Chauhan, a former employee of the Badri-Kedar Temple Committee (BHTC), was arrested on Sunday evening, November 24, 2024, in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. The arrest follows questioning by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding an alleged theft of gold and silver ornaments donated by pilgrims to the Badrinath temple. Chauhan, who previously served as a Dharmadhikari (chief priest/manager of religious affairs) at the temple, faces charges under sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

The case stems from allegations of financial irregularities detected during the 2023 opening and closing ceremonies of the Badrinath temple. An internal audit conducted by the BHTC reportedly identified a significant deficit in the temple's gold and silver donations.

Key details surrounding the case include:

  • Formation of SIT: A Special Investigation Team, led by IPS officer Ayush Agrawal, was constituted on October 24, 2024, by Director General of Police (DGP) Abhinav Kumar. This followed the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) on October 23, 2024.
  • FIR Details: The FIR was lodged by BHTC Chief Executive Officer Yogendra Singh. It highlighted alleged irregularities in the counting and storage of offerings made by devotees.
  • Alleged Deficit: The BHTC audit report indicated a shortfall of approximately 14 kilograms of gold and 1 kilogram of silver. The estimated value of the missing donations is stated to be over Rs 10 crore.
  • Previous Dismissal: Rajendra Chauhan was dismissed from his service by the BHTC on October 25, 2024, shortly after the FIR was filed, citing alleged financial irregularities.
  • Investigation Scope: The SIT's investigation has involved questioning multiple BHTC employees, including a storekeeper and an assistant cashier, in connection with the alleged theft. The inquiry aims to uncover the full extent of the discrepancies and identify all involved parties.

The Badrinath temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, receives substantial donations from devotees annually. The alleged theft has prompted a rigorous investigation by authorities to ensure accountability and maintain public trust in the management of sacred donations. Following Chauhan's arrest, the SIT is expected to seek police remand for further interrogation as part of the ongoing investigation. Law enforcement officials have stated that the inquiry will continue to progress, examining all available evidence and statements.