Uttarakhand Probe ordered into temple body paying bills of VIP guests at Kedarnath

Gopeshwar (Uttarakhand), May 27 (PTI) A four-member committee has been formed to probe allegations that the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee paid the accommodation and food bills of VIP guests visiting the Kedarnath shrine.
     The temple committee took note of reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged payments and ordered an inquiry, an official release said on Wednesday.
     The investigation was ordered by the chief executive officer of the temple committee, Sohan Singh Rangad, following directions from chairperson Hemant Dwivedi. Dwivedi said the panel has been asked to submit a report within three weeks.
     "Misuse of temple donations will not be allowed at any level," he said.
     Dwivedi added that the findings will be made public once the report is submitted, and action will be taken against those found responsible.
     The development follows social media posts claiming that the expenses for the stay and catering of prominent devotees at Kedarnath Dham were cleared using the temple committee fund.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)