Sarathi Baba remanded to 14-day judicial custody

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Aug 15:

The court of the Sub Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) here today remanded controversial godman Sarathi Baba, who was in the custody of Odisha Crime Branch for the last six days, to 14-day judicial custody.

The court asked the Crime Branch to produce the Baba in the court next on August 21.

Crime Branch officials produced the Baba in the court this morning at the end of the second phase three-day remand.

Since the Crime Branch did not apply for fresh remand of the Baba, the court remanded him to 14-day judicial custody. After the court ruling, the Baba was taken to the Choudwar Circle Jail.

However, as per law, the Crime Branch can apply the court to take him on a fresh remand again.

It may be mentioned that the Crime Branch sleuths, on the last day of the second phase remand of Sarathi Baba, had grilled the Baba and his ten of his associates, including the treasurer and secretary of the Sarathi Samiti.

They also recorded the statement of Kailash Mallick, the complainant against Srimad Sarathi in front of the magistrate under section 164 of the CrPc.

The Crime Branch has come across more than 50 sale deeds of land and over Rs 2.50 crore in more than 20 bank accounts of Srimad Sarathi.

Crime Branch has been able to identify and locate eight acres of landed property in the name of Srimad Sarathi in the state at different places.

Sources said Sarathi was not very cooperative during the interrogations.

Meanwhile, a team of the state investigating wing has decided to go to Hyderabad as it has found sufficient evidence of the stay of Baba at the Golconda hotel.

The team would visit the Golconda hotel and check the CCTV footage.

During investigation, Crime Branch officials have found transaction of Rs 30,000 done on the credit card of the Baba.