By IANS,
Hyderabad : Sathya Sai Central Trust member R.J. Ratnakar Sunday voiced his fear that “slanderous” media reporting could affect the trust’s revenues and activities.
A day after he was questioned by police for five hours in connection with the huge unaccounted cash seized a week ago, Ratnakar said at Puttaparthi that the police only sought his views on various stories in the media.
Ratnakar, who is also late Sai Baba’s nephew, alleged that a section of the press was maligning the trust by reporting that he was arrested or interrogated by the police.
Ratnakar had earlier denied that the Rs.35.5 lakh seized by the police belonged to the trust.
He said that he had given his clarification to the police and claimed that there was nothing secret or illegal in transporting the money.
Ratnakar said that the media, which was carrying defamatory stories, should also highlight the good work done by the trust in education, health and drinking water supply.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police Aravinda Rao told reporters that investigations were on in the money seizure case.
He, however, clarified since the trust is a private organisation, police cannot go repeatedly for questioning people.
Another trust member V. Srinivas is likely to appear before police Monday.
The police issued notices to the two trust members after three people arrested with Rs.35.5 lakh June 19 revealed they were transporting the cash from Sai Baba’s ashram in Puttaparthi to Bangalore on the instruction of the trust members.
Earlier, police also questioned Pradahan, chief security officer of Baba’s ashram Prashanti Nilayam. He revealed that the cash was taken out of Yajur Mandi, the residential quarters of Sai Baba which was opened by the trust June 17.
The trust had declared that it found Rs.11.56 crore, 98 kg gold and gold jewellery, 307 kg silver articles inside the quarters.
But a section of devotees alleged that the trust was either concealing Sai Baba’s vast wealth or much of it had already been shipped out of Prashanti Nilayam when the spiritual guru was battling for life in hospital.
Sai Baba passed away at the age of 85 April 24.