HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government Wednesday night decided to seek a report from the Sathya Sai Central Trust on the allegations of financial lapses against its members and other controversies dogging it after the demise of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba.
Concerned over the state of affairs in the trust, the government sought a report on the happenings, the trust activities and its assets.
This is the first time in the four-decade history of the trust that the government has intervened in its affairs.
The decision to seek a report was taken at an emergency meeting held by Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy with some of his cabinet colleagues to review the situation in view the allegations that some members of the trust were involved in transporting cash out of Prashanti Nilayam, the ashram of Sai Baba at Puttaparthi in Anantapur district.
The move came hours after police served notices on two members of the trust for questioning in a case relating to recovery of Rs.35.5 lakh. A car belonging to the trust was transporting the cash from Prashanti Nilayam to Bangalore.
There are also allegation against the trust that it did not declare the entire cash, gold jewellery and other valuables found in Yajur Mandir, the residential quarter of Sai Baba, which was opened last week.
After the meeting, Minister for Endowments Ponnala Lakshmaiah told reporters that a report was sought from the trust so that devotees could be informed about its activities and assets.
The minister said a decision on the future of the trust would be taken after the receipt of the detailed report.