Dehradun, July 13 -- The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged theft and misappropriation of donations at the Badrinath temple has recorded statements of five witnesses and is examining CCTV footage, call detail records and financial documents as part of its investigation, police said on Sunday. Chamoli superintendent of police Surjit Singh Panwar said the SIT has intensified its probe following the registration of an FIR against a suspended employee of the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC). "We have recorded statements of five witnesses in connection with the case. Examination of CCTV footage is taking time. We have also sought documents from the BKTC, including bank records, and are awaiting the committee's official internal inquiry report. Statements of other witnesses will also be recorded soon," Panwar said. The investigation centres on alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at Badrinath Dham that reportedly came to light during the counting of cash offerings made by devotees on July 2. Police registered an FIR against suspended BKTC employee Pramod Nautiyal, who was serving as a personal assistant in the office of the BKTC chairman on Wednesday. The case was lodged at Badrinath police station under Sections 306 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of the master) and 316(5) (criminal breach of trust) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Nautiyal was suspended after a preliminary inquiry conducted by a four-member internal committee reportedly found prima facie evidence of irregularities in the handling of temple donations. A show-cause notice was issued to him on July 3, following which he was attached to the BKTC office in Jyotirmath. Officials said he has been directed not to leave the headquarters without prior approval and to cooperate fully with the investigation. Uttarakhand government constituted a three-member high-level committee on Tuesday to examine complaints related to the management of donations and offerings at Badrinath Dham. According to an order issued by Tourism Secretary Dheeraj Singh Garbyal, the committee, headed by the Garhwal Commissioner, has been asked to submit its findings and recommendations to the state government within 15 days. Besides investigating the alleged irregularities, the panel will recommend measures to make the management of donations and offerings at the shrine more transparent, accountable and efficient. The committee has also been authorised to seek assistance from officials, experts and other stakeholders during the inquiry. The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of the BKTC's financial management. Earlier this month, the temple committee directed all officials and staff handling donations, offerings, rental income and other receipts at the Badrinath and Kedarnath temples to ensure complete transparency. A month earlier, the BKTC had constituted another committee to examine allegations made by Dehradun-based RTI activist and advocate Vikesh Negi, who claimed that temple funds were misused to provide accommodation, meals and helicopter travel for politicians and their associates. Citing information obtained under the Right to Information Act, Negi alleged that Rs.60,000 from temple funds was spent on accommodation for a relative of a state minister....