Mahant expelled from mutt trust
PURI: The Commissioner of Endowments dismissed Rajgopal Das, the mahant of Eamar mutt, from its trusteeship for his alleged involvement in the silver ingot scam. In 2011, Dhenkanal police had arrested two persons who were trying to sell silver ingots weighing over 40 kg each to a local jeweller. Following the High Court's direction, the century-old heritage building was being repaired when the theft took place. The labourers involved in the repair work found boxes filled with silver ingots.
They allegedly stole two silver ingots and fled. The police searched the rooms in Emar mutt in the presence of the Magistrate and recovered 522 silver ingots weighting 18.5 tonnes worth over `100 crore, stored in wooden boxes. It was then alleged that Das sold some ingots in exchange of gold ornaments.
On March 31, the Commissioner of Endowments alleged that during inventory of the property of the mutt by endowment officials in 2010, only 45 silver ingots were found. The commissioner dismissed the mahant’s pleading of ignorance and dismissed him from the mutt trust. Earlier, police had registered a criminal case and arrested contractor, jeweller, workmen and the mahant. They were later released on bail. The case is pending. Police are yet to file the charge-sheet in the case even after seven months.