The Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate allegations of irregularities in the handling of donations and offerings at Shri Badrinath Dham.

The decision was taken after claims of possible misappropriation surfaced on social media, prompting the committee to initiate a formal investigation.

BKTC Chief Executive Officer Sohan Singh Rangad stated that the committee was formed under the direction of chairman Hemant Dwivedi and has been asked to submit its findings within seven days.The inquiry will examine CCTV footage from the temple premises, statements from the employees concerned and any other relevant evidence.According to Rangad, the available CCTV footage reviewed so far was not sufficiently clear, making a detailed investigation necessary.

He added that if any individual is found guilty, strict departmental as well as legal action will be taken under the Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Act, 1939, along with applicable employee conduct rules.

The controversy has also led to political reactions in Uttarakhand, with the state Congress demanding stringent action against anyone found responsible and alleging that repeated reports of financial irregularities at major religious institutions have hurt the sentiments of devotees.

The allegations originated from Bhairav Sena Sangathan, which claimed that a temple committee employee was involved in the alleged theft of offerings and requested that CCTV footage be examined.

BKTC officials have maintained that donations at both Badrinath and Kedarnath are counted through an established process involving temple staff, bank officials and verified volunteers before being deposited in banks.The committee has also appealed to devotees and the public to avoid spreading unverified information until the inquiry is completed.