The Central probe agencies have started scrutinising details provided by Balkrishna, a close aide of Baba Ramdev, for getting a passport in 1998. According to sources, the agencies are probing whether he lied and provided false documents to get his passport.
Initial probe by the agencies has revealed that Balkrishna had submitted his application at a passport office in Bareilly on April 29, 1998. He had mentioned in his application that he was an Indian citizen, sources said. Finally, he managed to get his passport (no. A-S 245797) after few months.
“However, probe conducted by the local authorities in Hardwar revealed that he was a Nepali citizen. When he was born in Nepal, how can he mention that he was an Indian citizen?” sources said. The matter is now being probed by the agencies, sources said.
Terming the alleged fake disclosure made by Balkrishna for getting an Indian passport as a matter of serious concern, sources in the Central agencies said strict action will be taken against him if he is found guilty. The agencies are in touch with the authorities concerned in Uttarakhand and are also examining the letter written by the then CID chief investigating officer in Uttarakhand to the Hardwar SSP in this regard, sources said. The letter reportedly says that Balkrishna is a Nepali citizen.
However, talking to reporters in Hardwar, Balkrishna denied these allegations and said, “He has automatically become an Indian citizen as per the Indo-Nepal treaty. Any Nepali who has been staying in India for over 11 years is considered an Indian citizen.”
Besides, the agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate and the income-tax department, have also started probing foreign funds received by trusts associated with Baba Ramdev, including Patanjali Yogpeeth and Bharat Swabhiman Trust.
Agencies are collecting details from certain banks also in this regard, sources said adding that some cases of alleged stamp duty evasion, worth `58 lakhs by Hardwar-based organisations, associated with Baba Ramdev, is also being looked into.