Chamoli police have achieved a major breakthrough in the theft of Lord Narayana’s golden crown from Uttarakhand’s world-famous Badrinath shrine. Police have solved the case and arrested a sadhu. The gold gem-studded crown, worth approximately ₹5 lakh (approximately $500,000 USD), a portion of the stolen cash, and the bag used in the incident have been recovered from the accused’s possession.
According to the police, the accused monk was staying at the Brahmarshi Sadhana Sangh Ashram (Brahmakapal) for bhajan and kirtan. It is alleged that on the night of July 24, 2026, he stole Lord Narayana’s gold jewel-studded crown and cash stored at the ashram and fled. Following the incident, the ashram management filed a police complaint, following which a case was registered and an investigation was initiated.
Acting on technical evidence and information from an informant, a police team formed under the direction of Superintendent of Police, Chamoli, arrested the accused near Badrish Ganga Vatika Gate (Hanumanchatti Road) on July 29. During interrogation, the stolen gold crown and other items were recovered at the accused’s location.
The arrested accused has been identified as Raghavram Pathak alias Raghavdas (57 years old). He is said to be a resident of Shravasti district in Uttar Pradesh. Following the recovery, police have initiated further legal action by adding relevant sections to the case already registered against him.
Police also recovered a gold gem-studded crown of Lord Narayana, ₹4,500 of the stolen cash, and the black bag used in the crime from the accused. Further action is being taken after the accused is produced in court.