The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the state government and the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) to submit responses within three weeks in a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging misuse of funds meant for temple restoration between 2012 and 2017. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Gupta and Justice Subhash Upadhyay heard the matter on Tuesday.
Allegations in the PIL
The petition was filed by Rishikesh resident Amit Sharma, who claimed that funds allocated for the restoration of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples were misappropriated or diverted to other temples outside the BKTC’s jurisdiction. It also alleges irregularities, including unauthorised appointments and improper utilisation of financial resources contrary to applicable rules and procedures.
The petitioner has sought a court-monitored investigation and accountability for alleged financial mismanagement.
Deadline Set and Next Hearing
The bench noted that despite earlier orders, neither the state government nor the BKTC had filed their replies to the court’s queries. Therefore, both are now given three weeks to respond, with the next hearing scheduled after that period.
During proceedings, the court stressed the importance of rule-based utilisation of public funds and transparency in restoration-related financial matters.
Background on the Temple Restoration Funds
The funds in question were released by the state government over a five-year period (2012–17) for renovation and maintenance of the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples, which are among the most significant pilgrimage sites in the Himalayas.
The temple committee (BKTC) oversees the administration and development of these sites, but the PIL contends that the allocation and utilisation of restoration funds during the specified period were marred by irregularities.