The personal chamber of spiritual guru late Sathya Sai Baba at his ashram in Puttaparthi has turned out to be a virtual treasure trove. The tightly-guarded chambers, which were locked since March 28th, were opened by the members of Sathya Sai Central Trust, after one-and-a-half months of his death.

Here Comes, the value of the assets of trust, has also been matter of wild conjectures. Despite the enormous amount of wealth, Baba left behind under the aegis of his trusts, the amount of cash and ornaments found in his residences, has raised many an eyebrows. A massive amount of wealth, including crores of rupees and heaps of gold and silver jewellery, was found at Yajurveda Mandir.

Sathya Sai Trust officials said that 98 kg of gold ornaments, bars, biscuits and coins, over 300 kg of silver, and Rs 11.58 crore in cash, were found in the living rooms of Baba. There has been reports in the local media that, large quantities of gold and other valuables were shipped out, while Baba laid in the hospital in Puttaparthi, battling for life.

On several occasions, Satya Sai Central Trust had dismissed several speculations, on why Yajurveda Mandiram was not being opened. The members assured repeatedly that, if the doors were opened, it would be done in the presence of revenue and police officials, members of Satya Sai Baba's family and the media. But, when the doors of Yajruveda Mandiram were opened, only trust members and two retired judges were present.

Questions are now being asked about lack of transparency in the functioning of Satya Sai Central Trust. According to the Trust, all valuables have been deposited with the SBI after inventory. Sources said a large quantity of foreign currency was also found with the ornaments, gifted to Baba by his devotees. Opening of the chambers attracted a lot of attention as there was wild speculation during the ailment of Sai Baba that, some people had siphoned off the boxes of valuables from Baba's residence.

Though the trust appeals to people not to have any misgivings on the Yajurveda Mandiram, its way of functioning gives rise to the same suspicions and misconceptions.Interestingly, the police in Anantapur district today, have seized Rs 35 lakh in cash that was being transported in a vehicle allegedly belonging to the Sathya Sai Central Trust, at Bagepally toll-gate near Hindupur town and arrested one person identified as Harishnanda Shetty.

A trust official was believed to have given him the money. A police officer said the arrested person would be taken to Puttaparthi for investigations. The money was seized two days after the trust opened Yajur Mandir. Meanwhile, police in Puttaparthi started checking of vehicles at exit points. Taking a serious note of the happenings, the state government said it would intervene if the trust was found not discharging its responsibilities.

Published Date : Monday, 20/6/2011 1:46 PM IST