Badri theft case: CCTV recorder sent to forensic, ‘Kuber Ka Khazana’ records being tallied | Dehradun News
Dehradun: The SIT probing alleged irregularities in offerings at Badrinath temple has sent the CCTV system’s digital video recorder (DVR) to a forensic laboratory for image enhancement and data recovery. Investigators said parts of the footage were unclear and that enhanced images could help identify more people who may have been involved.Additional police personnel have been deployed to count and verify cash, jewellery and other valuables stored in lockers inside “Kuber Ka Khazana”. Sources said records from the past three years were initially being compiled and matched with the items in the vault. The assets of the accused would also be examined, they added.
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Chamoli SP Surjeet Singh Panwar told TOI, “Our teams are carrying out physical verification of the donated items kept in Kuber Ka Khazana. The records are being tallied, and every item is being examined.”Panwar said forensic examination of the CCTV data could reveal key facts related to the case. “The SIT is thoroughly investigating the matter, and all facts will come to light soon,” he added.The alleged irregularities first came to light after they were flagged by social organisation Bhairav Sena. Acting on a complaint filed by temple officer-in-charge Yudhveer Pushpwan, police registered an FIR against Pramod Nautiyal, a personal assistant at BKTC, under BNS sections 306 (theft) and 316(5) (criminal breach of trust).Nautiyal was arrested from his Dehradun residence on July 12 after the investigation found that he had allegedly misappropriated cash, gold and silver coins, Shaligram shilas and saffron packets from temple offerings on different occasions.Former temple officer Rajendra Chauhan was subsequently arrested on July 17. Chauhan, who retired on June 30 after 28 years of service, had served as the in-charge of counting offerings. He was allegedly seen in CCTV footage pocketing bundles of Rs 500 notes, jewellery and other donated items on June 22, 25 and 29.
