Sarathi operated 23 bank accounts

Odisha Channel Bureau Kendrapara, Aug 12: Money donated by devotees and deposited in bank accounts by the controversial godman Sarathi Baba has shot up to Rs.2.55 crore with the Crime Branch of Odisha police today detecting three more operational bank accounts of the self-proclaimed godman.Assessment of ashram property owned by self-proclaimed godman Sarathi Roul alias Sarathi Baba also continued today in Barimula village on the outskirts of district headquarters town.The assessment process is be carried out by engineers of Roads and Building Division.“On being asked by Crime Branch, we constituted a team of engineers to assess the cost of the ashram property.The assessment process has begun.It may take two more days for completion of the assessment exercise,” said Executive Engineer of R&B Division M.R.Khan.The Crime Branch investigators have so far verified at least 23 operative bank accounts of the Baba in nationalised banks and an urban cooperative bank.During verification it has been found that the accounts were enlisted against either the tainted godman or the Satyam Charitable trust owned by him.The deposits were worth nearly Rs.2.55 crore, informed CB officials.Sarathi Baba’s Media LinkMeanwhile, speculation is rife over the alleged link of a section of local media with the controversial godman.It is also being talked about in various circles that a section of Bhubaneswar-based scribes owed their proximity to the fake godman and they used to visit the ashram quite frequently.A photo-journalist of a leading private channel is presently being grilled in connection with the Sarathi controversy.”Though we are yet to come across specific evidence with regard to alleged media-Sarathi nexus, the alleged link also stays in the gamut of our probe,” confided a Crime Branch investigating officer.