CBI, I-T on Ramdev trail

After the midnight purge, Baba Ramdev now faces CBI and income tax department scrutiny. The government activated the two agencies to look into the companies, properties and audit accounts of the yoga guru and his aides on Sunday, the day it broke up his fast,evicting him and his supporters from the Ramlila Maidan

Initial paperwork has begun. Under the scanner is the functioning of about 200 companies with which the yoga guru or his aides are involved. The firms facing scrutiny include Patanjali Ayurved Limited, Divya Pharmacy Yog, Aarogya Herbs, Jharkhand Mega Food Park, Divya Packmaf, Vedic Aasthabhajan Broadcasting, Dynamic Buildcom and Patanjali Bio-research Institute.

The list of companies is being compiled from June 3, the eve of Ramdev's fast. Ramdev aide Acharya Balakrishna is a director in 34 of these companies, while one Mukta Nand is director in another 11.

Besides an inquiry into I-T exemptions, the government also wants to know if some of these companies “misbranded” products, used “unapproved” drugs or violated licensing provisions.

A few years ago, there were charges that the medicines prepared by his pharmacy allegedly used human bones and animal parts. The charges were found to be unsubstantiated.

The ownership, sale and purchase of the land and properties that are in the name of his trusts or aides are also being looked into.

These include the land in Haridwar where the Patanjali Yogpeeth, Ramdev's headquarters, is built. The ownership is being contested in the court.

The plot was owned by the Udaseen Akhada, which was represented by mahant Rajendra Das and after his death, the plot should have been given to the next mahant, Mahendra Das.

"It was fraudulently sold to Balkrishna and hence the registration/mutation of the said land (no 231) is challengeable to restoration. …similarly, all the property which belonged to mahant Rajendra Das should have been given to next mahant Mahendra Das which was, by fraud, registered in the name of Balkrishnan/Patanjali Yogpeeth," said a source, who refused to be identified.

If the court rules in favour of the petitioners, Ramdev, Patanjali Yogpeeth and his aide would be affected.

Balakrishna's passport will also be looked into and also, if he has more than one. (HT)