The court has taken cognizance of the case involving irregularities and theft regarding donation money and offerings received at the Badrinath Temple.
Hina Kausar, the Judicial Magistrate in-charge at the Jyotirmath court, has issued directives for further proceedings after taking cognizance of the matter against three accused: former Protocol Officer Pramod Nautiyal, retired Temple Officer Rajendra Singh Chauhan, and Manoj Kumar, an official from the Vishnuprayag Hydroelectric Project. Charges have been framed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
**Allegation of Theft During Counting of Offerings**
According to the court order, cognizance has been taken against Pramod Nautiyal and Rajendra Singh Chauhan under Sections 306, 316(5), 317(2), and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Meanwhile, cognizance has been taken against security personnel Manoj Kumar under Sections 305 and 317(2).
According to the prosecution, Pramod Nautiyal and Rajendra Singh Chauhan held permanent positions at the Badrinath Temple. They were responsible for supervising the counting of donation money and other offerings collected at the temple and ensuring their deposit into the temple committee’s account in accordance with the rules. It is alleged that the two entered into a criminal conspiracy to dishonestly misappropriate a portion of the donation money and other offerings for their own gain.
The third accused, Manoj Kumar, is charged with stealing offerings while they were being counted at the Badrinath Temple. According to the prosecution, the stolen offerings and the proceeds from their sale were recovered from his possession.
