On the basis of FIR registered by the CB, CID of Odisha police and charge sheet filed in the court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate, Sadar, Cuttack against Sarathi baba (Santosh Kumar Roul), an investigation was taken up by the ED. Baba is in Judicial custody and lodged in Circle Jail, Chowdwar.
According to the charge sheet, Sarathi baba claimed himself to be God or incarnation of Lord Krishna having supernatural powers and induced people to become his devotees. In the pretext of serving the common and poor people, he accepted costly donations of all kinds in cash, gold, silver etc. He used the substantial part of the donations received, for his own benefits or the benefits of his family members and purchased land, building and swelled his deposit in the banks.
During the course of the investigation, the statements of Baba along with his son, nephew and various other devotees were recorded.
The information regarding details of properties was obtained from various state government agencies and also from various banks.
On scrutiny of the documents, it was found Baba has laundered the ill-gotten money collected as donations from the gullible devotees and has invested in land and building held in his name and in the name of Satyam Charitable Trust, his son, nephew and his close devotees/associates. He had opened bank accounts in the name of his son, nephew and close devotees/associates to project the ill-gotten money as untainted properties.