Puttaparthi protests over mishandling of Sai trust funds - Hindustan Times

Outraged by recent allegations of mishandling of funds of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, the body that manages the ashrams founded by spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba, Puttaparthi came to a halt on Saturday. Shops and business establishments remained closed, as 100 traders took to the streets blami ng the trustees for bringing disrepute to the ashram.

First came the revelation of hidden wealth inside Yajur Mandir, the private quarters of Sai Baba at Prasanthi Nilayam on June 16. Following this Rs 85.5 lakh of trust money was seized from Bangalore-bound vehicles on June 19 and 20.

The economy of Puttaparthi, around 400 km from Hyderabad, is largely dependent on the pilgrim flow to the Sathya Sai Ashram, and traders are worried recent controversies may have an adverse impact on their business.

"The ugly turn of things has spoiled the reputation of the ashram. We want the government to take over the ashram and the Trust so that the legacy of Sathya Sai Baba is protected," said Mohammed Basith, a shopkeeper, who participated in the rally.

Protesters took out a rally from the Hanuman Temple Circle to the office of the revenue divisional officer. Later, they submitted a memorandum demanding the takeover of the trust, appointment of an executive officer by the government on the lines of the one appointed in Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam and arrest of trust member RJ Ratnakar.

Ratnakar, who is Sai Baba's nephew, was questioned by the police on Saturday in connection with the cash seizure.

The police issued notices to Ratnakar and another trust member V Srinivasan after three people arrested with Rs 35.5 lakh on July 19 revealed they were transporting the cash from Puttaparthi to Bangalore on the instruction of the Trust members.

Cash recovery: Police to issue notices to 2 key members of Sathya Sai Trust - Times of India

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Police is all set to issue notices to two key members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust, and question them in connection with the transportation of Rs 35.5 lakh cash in a vehicle from Puttaparthi town in Anantapur district to Bangalore.

Police have sought legal opinion in this regard and once they get it, they would move forward on issuing notices and to question the two trust members R J Ratnakar (who is nephew of late Sathya Sai Baba) and Venu Srinivasan, a senior police officer said.

"We cannot rule it (questioning the trust members) out. We are exploring the possibilities and are now seeking legal opinion. We are in the process (of questioning) towards that. Based on the legal opinion which will be known tomorrow... we will move ahead," said the official, who is supervising the investigations into the seizure of Rs 35.5 lakh from a vehicle allegedly belonging to the Sathya Sai Central Trust.

The four-wheeler, carrying Rs 35.5 lakh in cash, was confiscated during checking at Kodikonda checkpost under Chilamanthur police station limits bordering Karnataka on June 18.

Police so far have arrested three persons, including its driver Harishnanda Shetty, besides Venu Srinivasan's driver Chandrashekhar alias Shekhar and one engineer Sohanshetty in connection with the cash seizure.

As part of probe into the seizure of the cash, police interrogated Pradhan, the chief security officer of 'Yajur Mandir' -- the private chamber of Sai Baba.

Police were also in the process of questioning two more persons who were identified as Sadashiv and Venkatesh (a personal assistant of Srinivasan).

Meanwhile, in the wake of trust member V Srinivasan's name making rounds in the case, TVS Motor Company clarified that 'V Srinivasan', being referred in sections of the press, is wrongly being quoted as the chairman of TVS Motor Company - Venu Srinivasan.

A statement issued on Tuesday night said "Several reports have appeared across sections of the press with regard to irregularities in the 'Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust' alleging the involvement of Venu Srinivasan, Chairman of TVS Motor Company."

"TVS Motor Company hereby clarifies that the said V Srinivasan, being referred to in sections of the press, is wrongly being quoted as the Chairman of TVS Motor Company, Venu Srinivasan."

This is "factually incorrect as Venu Srinivasan is not a trustee of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust," the statement added.