By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 10, 2015 : Crime Branch of Odisha Police have now clinching evidence that fake ‘godmen’ Sarathi Raul alias Sarathi Baba had turned religion into industry where devotion became a ruse for greed, offering a subterfuge for bribe and superstition the explanation for belief. Little wonder, the fake Baba ended up super rich, owning acres of real estate and retail chains with turnovers of crores.

The probe team has found 10 bank accounts of the self-styled godman having deposits of crores of rupees. Apart from Satyam Charitable Trust, whose financial transactions are being probed by the Crime Branch, Sarathi used to collect lakhs of rupees through organisations like Sarathi Samiti across the State.

In Bhubaneswar, Sarathi Samiti was collecting money since 2003 as can be seen from the passbooks of two bank accounts. Sarathi Samiti treasurer Sukadeba Sabat stated many such centres were present at different places in the State.

Source said at least 27 organisations were running on Sarathi Samiti’s name in the State befooling gullible people.

The controversial Baba ran a profitable make-a-wish-and-pay-for-it enterprise. Considering that greed begets greed, favour guarantees favour is the defining principle of Indian Babadom, Santosh Raul turned Sarathi Baba’s moudu operandi is no different from other fake Babas in the country like Asharam Bapu.

With the arrest of Sarathi, people at least have realized that the so-called godman is one of us, not avatars of Krushna.

Meanwhile, the heat is on the erstwhile superintendent of police of Kendrapara Satish Gajbhiye, who has been accused of protecting Sarathi by unleashing a reign of terror on protesting people.

The contents of two inquiry reports ordered by the Odisha government will decide the fate of former Kendrapara SP.

The state government has commissioned two inquiry reports – one by IG (Central) R P Koche, who is camping at Kendrapara, and a joint report by collector and the new SP of Kendrapara – to find out whether there was any violation of standard operating procedure and whether police action was in excess of what the situation warranted.

These officials have been asked to submit their reports to state police chief Sanjeev Marik. There are reports of police visiting hospitals in Kendrapara town collecting details of the number of persons injured in police action on August 7.

Besides, IG (Crime Branch) Arun Bothra is visiting Kendrapara Bar, various clubs and institutions to bridge the gap between the police and the people.

The defiant Gajbhiye, who was removed from Kendrapada after alleged excesses, has posted his views on Facebook as well as uploaded two videos, the second of them on Monday afternoon, of how the police was attacked by the mob in Kendrapara.

“Many are shedding crocodile tears over alleged violence in Police action. The hooligans wanted to push the town in communal riots. Police controlled them effectively. No Public was injured but many policeman sustained bleeding injuries”, Gajbhiye maintained.