Sarathi Baba arrested by Crime Branch

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar, Aug 8: Self-styled godman Sarathi Baba alias Santosh Roul was arrested by the Crime Branch of Odisha police from his ashram near Kendrapara town at 3.30 am today.The Baba and another functionary of his ashram were taken into custody for interrogation amid public outcry over his sexual escapades, accumulation of wealth and lavish lifestyle.The Baba and his associate were brought from the Barimula ashram near Kendrapara to the Crime Branch office in Cuttack where the Baba was formally arrested after questioning.The protests against the godman had started following reports by Prameya News7, an Odia television channel exposing the Baba’s wrongdoings for three consecutive days.The Crime Branch has registered a case against the Baba, his family members, including his adopted son, and his associates under different Sections of various laws, including Sections 120(B), 420, 467, 471, 341, 379 and 506 of Indian Penal Code and Section of 25 of Arms Act.Though the FIR has mentions about the sexual escapades of the Baba, further investigations are on with regard to sexual exploitation of many women by the self-styled godman, according to sources in the Crime Branch.The State Government had ordered Crime Branch inquiry into the controversy over the Baba on Thursday after protest demonstrations were organised against the Baba in different parts of the State.A four-member Crime Branch team had reached the Baba’s ashram as thousands of people staged protest demonstrations in Kendrapara town on Friday.The government had to transfer Kendrapara superintendent of police Satish Kumar Gajbhiye on Friday and appointed Nitinjit Singh as superintendent of police after police went berserk and lathi-charged the protesters.Many people were injured due to the police excesses.Opposition Congress, BJP, CPI(M), CPI, Samajwadi Party had condemned the police action against the public.The Crime Branch has registered a cheating case against the Baba.The police have found that the godman had collected huge amounts of donations through deceptive methods.The Crime Branch sleuths have seized the bank accounts of the Trust run by the Baba and also seized some cash and gold ornaments from his possession.