Crime Branch finds Sarathi locker empty

Odisha Channel Bureau Kendrapara, Aug 18: Crime branch investigators today drew blank from a bank locker, registered against Satyam Charitable Trust headed by controversial godman Sarathi Baba (now in jail), in a nationalised bank here.The locker was unbolted today.However, to our utter surprise, nothing was found inside it.We had expected huge deposits of cash and gold.The locker account had been opened on 15 July last in the name of Satyam Roul, the adopted son of the self-proclaimed godman, said crime branch officials.The investigating team also detected deposits to the tune of Rs 52 lakh from at least 5 accounts in another nationalized bank.The account-holders were Sarathi, his son and the charitable trust, said officials.With the latest detection, cash deposits of Sarathi in the identified bank accounts have gone up to over Rs.3 crore.So far, about 50 residential and agriculture plots owned by Godman and his adopted son have been traced.Vital clues relating to benami immovable properties have also come to light during the course of investigation.A section of aides who owed close proximity of the Godman would be interrogated to ascertain the benami properties.A super class contractor who is believed to have maintained close rapport is also CB scanner.A separate team of investigation comprising mostly women officers has been constituted to probe into the private life and alleged escapades of the controversial godman, said officials.