AP: Rs. 85.5 lakh of Sai Trust money intercepted

ANANTAPUR: Deepening suspicions of foul play in the inventory of the late Sathya Sai Baba’s belongings, police seized Rs.85.5 lakh from three persons while they were on their way to Bangalore from Puttaparthi in the last 24 hours.While Rs.35.5 lakh was seized from two persons travelling in a Toyota Qualis at Kodikonda checkpost on Saturday night, Rs.50 lakh was seized from a passenger in a KSRTC bus at Locharla village in Kothacheruvu mandal early Sunday.Anantapur Superintendent of Police Shah Nawaz Qasim confirmed that the Rs.35.5 lakh seized from two men, identified as Sekhar and driver Harish Nandasetty, belonged to the Sathya Sai Central Trust.Speaking to reporters, he said the duo have been taken into custody. “Both have admitted that they were taking the cash to Bangalore from Prasanthi Nilayam. They have revealed the names of some prominent persons of the trust,” the SP said, refusing to disclose the names.The cash will be deposited in court and the Income Tax authorities have already been informed of the seizures, Qasim added.Sources said Nandasetty and Sekhar had received an SMS from a certain Chowhan that police were checking vehicles at the Kadikonda checkpost, but by then the duo had arrived at the spot and were caught. The cash was apparently meant for Chowhan.Penukonda DSP Kolar Krishna produced Sekhar and Nandasetty before Hindupur magistrate Karunakar Reddy, and with his permission took them into police custody for interrogation.The duo were reportedly shifted to the Chilamattur police station.Sources said the two men informed the police that they were given the cash at Room No A-6 in West Prasanthi Nilayam and asked to take it to Bangalore. The room was reportedly occupied by a trust member. Trust member and Sai Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakar, however, maintained that the trust had nothing to do with the seized cash.He said 12 persons, linked with the seizures, were likely to clarify about the cash to the police or the court on Sunday night or Monday.Revenue Minister N Raghveera Reddy said the government will look into the developments and take action.