BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Crime Branch of Odisha Police digs into Sarathi Baba’s financial empire, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now trained its gun at the self-styled godman.
The national investigating agency has written to the CB seeking details of the case. Sources said the ED has requested for copy of the FIR and other seized documents so that it can form its opinion on the case.
Santosh Raula, the self-proclaimed godman, is accused of mobilising crores of rupees through donations from his followers and a network of “samitis” spread across the districts. The CB has already unearthed huge immovable assets whose value could touch Rs 10 crore while his bank deposits run into Rs 2.7 crore.
“On the face of it, the matter appears to be a case of money laundering and we would like to study the documents and take a decision,” sources added. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act vests power with the ED to inquire money laundering.
Volte-face: Meanwhile, the investigation by the CB has received a boost with the medical student, who had accompanied Raula to Hyderabad, making a volte-face a day after recording her statement before the magistrate.
On Saturday, she went on to charge Raula with threatening and pressurising her to lodge a false FIR against four persons with Mangalabag Police Station.
In her complaint, she alleged that Raula had called her over phone and warned against revealing their relationship. It was under his threat that she allegedly accompanied him to Hyderabad. The self-styled godman’s accomplices also directed her to lodge a complaint against four persons under the pretext that a contract has been given to eliminate her for Rs 10 lakh, the CB sources said.
“The medico was threatened that her family would be destroyed if she went against the godman’s wishes. Raula asked her not to watch television news and leave Odisha,” sources said.
The girl’s FIR is being analysed and the agency will find out who acted on Raula’s behalf. The woman, who had first come to Mangalabag Police Station to submit the complaint on the medico’s behalf, is also under scanner. “We are trying to locate the woman who had first claimed to be girl’s aunt. She can provide a link to this case,” sources said. If need arises, plea for a fresh remand could be submitted after the twist in the case.
Meanwhile, the CB has located 10 more bank accounts with Rs 17 lakh in them. So far, the agency has found Rs 2.72 crore in 33 bank accounts related to Raula.