Satya Sai Central Trust members R.J. Ratnakar and V. Srinivasan were served notices under the Criminal Procedure Code by the Anantapur police regarding the recently seized `35 lakhs in cash.
Mr Ratnakar, who is the Baba’s nephew, is at the centre of allegations and both him and Mr Srinivasan of WS Industries have been asked to come to the police station and give their statements.
The police wants to know when the trust itself had announced the amount of cash, gold and silver found in Yajur Mandir in Puttparthi and had deposited the same in the bank, where did the `35 lakhs come from? The income-tax department is also probing the issue.
Rayalaseema inspector-general of police Santosh Mehra said that the police was trying to find the origin and destination of the cash. “We have seized the cash under CrPC Scetion 41 and 102. We have served notices to those named to find the source of the money. As this is a sensitive matter we will not act in haste. After recording the statements of those who have been served notices, we will arrive at the conclusion. The case can be altered based on the findings,” said Mr Mehra. “When all transactions of the trust are made through cheques, why was the cash used? If all the cash, gold and silver found in Yajur Mandir have been accounted for, then where did this cash come from?” asked Mr Mehra.
As per CrPC Section 102, any police officer may seize any property alleged or suspected to have been stolen, or which may be found under circumstances, which create suspicion of the commission of any offence.
The police has arrested the driver of the vehicle based on CrPC 41 which allows it to arrest any persons found in possession of suspected stolen property.