Self-Styled Godman 'Kalki Bhagwan's' Undisclosed Income Could Exceed Rs 600 Cr; Interrogation Likely

On Tuesday, the IT Department conducted a search on properties of 'White Lotus' in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chittoor, and Kuppam.

New Delhi: The undisclosed income of self-styled godman Kalki Bhagwan, which was detected in the week-long Income Tax raids in the multiple premises of the wellness guru, could exceed Rs 600 crore, sources in the department were quoted as saying by news agency PTI. They said that an investigation was in progress and the Goodman can be interrogated. The trusts and companies led by the spiritual guru, who propounded what he called "oneness philosophy", were also likely to face probe under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015, the agency reported. In a video message, Kalki Bhagwan dispelled rumours that he has fled the country. "We have not fled the country, nor have we gone anywhere... we are only in Nemam (Tamil Nadu) and we wish to inform you that we are in very good health and that we are perfectly fine," he said in the video in which his wife was also seen. On Tuesday, the IT Department conducted a search on properties of 'White Lotus' in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chittoor, and Kuppam. The company White Lotus is owned by the son of Wellness Guru, Kalki Bhagwan. The Income Tax department has confiscated Rs 20 crore worth USD, around 409 crore cash receipts, undisclosed bank accounts worth Rs 115 crore, foreign investments through hawala worth Rs 85 crore and 90 kgs of gold. The total seizure value stands at Rs 105 crore. The search was coordinated by 300 officials in 40 locations in Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chittoor and Kuppam. The raids began on Wednesday and were carried out at the expansive ashram at Varadaiahpalem near Chittoor and the properties of Krishna.