ED attaches Odisha godman Sura Baba’s properties worth Rs 15 cr

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 30:

Two days after Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties of self-proclaimed Odisha godman Sarathi Baba alias Santosh Raul, the Central agency today attached moveable and immoveable properties worth Rs 15 crore of another self-proclaimed godman Sura Baba alias Surendranath Mishra, said sources in the ED.

The ED has attached properties belonging to Sura Baba and his two sons-Trilochan and Biranchi Narayan.

The attached properties include Sura Baba’s Trahi Achuta Ashram, his house and lands at Jhinti Sasan on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar and deposits in various banks held by him and his sons.

While the self-styled godman’s ashram, house and lands have been valued at Rs 12.60 crore, combined value of bank deposits held by the trio is Rs 2.35 crore, the same sources added.

The attachment of properties has been made under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The trio was earlier grilled by the ED on several occasions.

It may be recalled here that Sura Baba and his two sons were arrested by the Balipatna police on August 31, 2015.

The trio was arrested under section 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 342 (Punishment for wrongful confinement), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 294 (sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC and section 3(I)(x) of the ST and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Sura Baba and his sons are currently lodged in the Jharpada Special Jail here.