Gopeshwar/Jyotirmath. The police investigation into the infamous Badrinath Dham offering theft case is gaining momentum. Following the expiry of the four-day police remand of the main accused, Pramod Nautiyal, the court has sent him to Pursadi jail. Meanwhile, police have recovered a silver idol, a yellow metal object, and several important documents from the accused’s home. A three-member inquiry committee formed by the government is also investigating the entire case separately.
Accused sent to jail after remand ends –
Pramod Nautiyal, accused of allegedly embezzling money during donation calculations, had been on police remand since July 28, 2026. After the interrogation was completed, the court of Judicial Magistrate Jyotirmath Hira Kausar ordered him to be sent to Pursadi jail in judicial custody on the evening of July 31, 2026.
Raids in Dehradun and Badrinath –
During his remand, police interrogated Pramod Nautiyal extensively and raided his Nehru Colony residence in Dehradun. During the search, police seized numerous documents related to his property and bank accounts.
Silver coins and Nepalese currency were also recovered from his room in Badrinath. The investigation intensified after a silver statue and a yellow metal object were found at his Dehradun home.
A government inquiry committee is also investigating.
Given the seriousness of the matter, the government has formed a three-member inquiry committee headed by the commissioner. The committee has summoned the current temple officer, the counting room, and the protocol room staff to Dehradun for questioning.
Co-accused’s property will now be investigated –
Police will also investigate the property and financial transactions of Rajendra Chauhan, a co-accused in this case. Chauhan is a former temple official and nodal officer for the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) and the thali offering count.
Rajendra Chauhan retired on June 30, but after his name surfaced in the offering theft case, he was also arrested and sent to jail.
The scope of the investigation is constantly expanding.
Police say that in addition to examining the recovered documents, bank accounts, and properties, they are also investigating the role of others involved in the donation counting process. More significant revelations are expected in this case in the coming days.