TV
Bhubaneswar: Satyam Raul, foster son of self-proclaimed godman Sarathi Baba alias Santosh Raul, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning on Thursday.
Though details of Satyam’s interrogation by the officials is not known, it is believed that the ED sought information on all financial transactions of the Barimul Ashram Trust in Kendrapara district, in the name of which flats and land were purchased in different parts of the State.
Besides, the ED reportedly also sought information on the Rs 25 lakh cash deposited in the name of Satyam in a nationalized bank in Kendrapara, which was later seized.
“I am here to appear before the ED officials. I don’t know what exactly they will ask me. But I will cooperate with the investigation and share whatever information I have with them,” Satyam told the media.
Two days ago, three more aides of Sarathi Baba - Dharanidhar Mallick, Surendra Mallick and Bijay Kumar Sahu - had appeared before the ED for questioning. The trio was quizzed on land related transactions of the self-proclaimed godman, sources said.
Sources added that the ED on Monday had subjected the godman’s brother Debendra Raul and aide Khagendra Rout alias Khaga to marathon grilling for five hours over the financial transactions of the Trust.
During the interrogation of the duo, the ED tried to ascertain if any part of the huge amount of money that the godman had gained through Ashram activities had been laundered.
