A complaint has surfaced alleging that donation money was stolen during the counting process at the famed Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand. In response, the Shri Badrinath–Kedarnath Temple Committee has directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
The allegation comes soon after a similar controversy at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, where theft was reported during the counting of devotees’ offerings. With the issue drawing national attention, the Badrinath complaint has triggered fresh scrutiny.
The incident is being discussed amid the ongoing Char Dham pilgrimage season, during which large numbers of devotees visit Badrinath and Kedarnath. Badrinath, located in the Himalayan region at an altitude of 10,279 feet, has been witnessing heavy daily footfall.
According to the committee, reports circulating on social media claimed that some staff involved in the counting work had stolen part of the offerings. The temple administration has issued notices seeking explanations from the employees and officials linked to the counting process.
Committee chairman Hemant Dwivedi said the administration is treating the allegations seriously and that strict action will be taken if wrongdoing is proven. The complaint came to light after Sandeep Khatri, founder of a Hindu organisation called “Bai Rav Sena”, sent a written complaint to the temple administration on July 3.
