Kedarnath Temple gold theft probe urged as Badrinath donation scam widens
Synopsis
A religious leader has alleged that up to sixty per cent of donations at Kedarnath and Badrinath temples are pocketed by insiders — and is demanding an SIT probe going back five years. With a BKTC staffer already suspended over the Badrinath case, the pressure on Uttarakhand's government to act is mounting fast.
Key Takeaways
Swami Darshan Bharti of Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan on 8 July urged the Uttarakhand government and BKTC to probe alleged gold theft at the Kedarnath Temple .
He alleged that 60% of donations at Kedarnath and Badrinath temples are misappropriated rather than deposited in donation boxes.
He called for a large SIT to investigate all past irregularities, including those from five years ago and across previous administrations.
A case has been registered at Badrinath Police Station following a BKTC complaint over alleged donation embezzlement.
Pramod Nautiyal , Personal Assistant to the BKTC Chairman , was suspended on 7 July to protect the integrity of the ongoing inquiry.
Swami Darshan Bharti, founder of Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, on Wednesday, 8 July called on the Uttarakhand government and the Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) to launch a comprehensive investigation into longstanding allegations of embezzlement at the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, including what he described as a 'theft of gold' from the Kedarnath Temple. His appeal came amid an escalating row over alleged donation irregularities at the Shri Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, where a case has already been registered at the Badrinath Police Station.
What Swami Darshan Bharti Alleged
Speaking to reporters, Swami Darshan Bharti claimed that financial misconduct at the two shrines has persisted for years. 'Theft has been happening for a long time. If the Uttarakhand government conducts an impartial investigation into this matter, then the Kedarnath Temple should also be included. The gold theft at the Kedarnath Temple, which drew widespread attention, should also be made part of the investigation,' he said.
He further alleged that as much as sixty per cent of donated funds at both temples 'goes into the pockets of the people there and not into the donation boxes.' 'I have myself seen that in Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, instead of the donation boxes, people take the money and put it in their pockets,' he claimed.
Scope of the Demanded Probe
Swami Darshan Bharti insisted the investigation must not be limited to recent incidents. 'Incidents which took place even five years ago should be probed and the investigation should not be restricted to what happened today. It should include the scams which took place in the tenure of previous government officials as well,' he said.
He also alleged that the BKTC itself may be compromised. 'BKTC should look into this but they themselves are involved and are hence unable to stop such thefts,' he claimed, calling for the formation of a large Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine all prior allegations regardless of the time required.
BKTC Action and the Badrinath Case
The immediate trigger for the controversy is a formal complaint filed by the BKTC with the Badrinath Police Station over alleged embezzlement of temple donations. Acting on preliminary findings, the committee on 7 July suspended Pramod Nautiyal, the Personal Assistant posted in the office of the BKTC Chairman, with immediate effect. The BKTC stated that allowing him to continue could 'compromise the fairness and impartiality of the investigation.'
Why This Matters
The Kedarnath and Badrinath temples are among India's most visited Hindu shrines, drawing millions of pilgrims annually during the Char Dham yatra season. Allegations of systematic donation misappropriation strike at public trust in temple administration. Notably, the BKTC is a statutory body under the Uttarakhand government, meaning any credible probe would require state-level oversight — precisely what Swami Darshan Bharti is demanding. The outcome of the ongoing Badrinath case is likely to determine whether the government broadens the inquiry to include Kedarnath.
Point of View
Which makes the allegation that it is itself 'involved' in the irregularities particularly damaging — and politically inconvenient. The suspension of a single Personal Assistant is a minimal response to what Swami Darshan Bharti describes as a systemic, multi-year problem. If the allegations of sixty per cent donation diversion are even partially accurate, the scale of potential loss to temple trusts is enormous. The real test is whether the state government orders an independent SIT that covers Kedarnath — or allows the inquiry to remain narrow enough to be manageable.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kedarnath Temple gold theft allegation?
Swami Darshan Bharti has alleged that gold was stolen from the Kedarnath Temple in a case that previously drew widespread public attention. He is demanding that any government investigation into Badrinath Temple irregularities be expanded to include this alleged gold theft at Kedarnath as well.
What action has the BKTC taken so far?
The BKTC filed a complaint with the Badrinath Police Station over alleged embezzlement of temple donations. Following preliminary findings, it suspended Pramod Nautiyal, the Personal Assistant to the BKTC Chairman, on 7 July to protect the fairness of the investigation.
Who is Swami Darshan Bharti and why is he raising these allegations?
Swami Darshan Bharti is the founder of Devbhoomi Raksha Abhiyan, a religious and cultural organisation active in Uttarakhand. He has been a vocal critic of alleged mismanagement at the Char Dham temples and is demanding a broad SIT probe covering at least the past five years.
What is the BKTC and who oversees it?
The Shri Badarinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) is a statutory body established under Uttarakhand state law to manage the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples. It operates under the oversight of the Uttarakhand government, making the state directly responsible for any accountability measures.
What is being demanded going forward?
Swami Darshan Bharti has called for the Uttarakhand government and BKTC to constitute a large Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe all previous allegations of embezzlement — including those from five years ago and spanning multiple administrations — at both the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples.
