Karmapa fails to appear in court,registers presence through lawyer

Singh,however,sought exemption for the spiritual guru in connection with the case that relates to a purported land deal and the seizure of a huge amount of foreign currency in his monastery near Dharamsala a year back.

Five other accused appeared in court on Tuesday,including the Karmapa’s close aide,Shkati Lama. The case has been adjourned for August 14,2012.

“I just informed the court about the Karmapa’s busy schedule at Bodh Gaya and also tried to make his position clear in the matter even as Karmapa has not been served the court summons,so far”,advocate Singh told the Indian Express over phone.

Later a statement issued by the Karmapa’s office said: “ His Holiness has nothing to do with the case as administrative,financial and management responsibilities of the lineage holder are always held by the Karmapa’s administrative office. His Holiness allowed the use of his name as honorary chairman only at the bequest of the Trust members for reasons of auspiciousness and blessings”.

“The chargesheet is mainly against the people ,who are involved in selling land to the Karmae Garchen Trust for cheating and forgery .Even though the Karmapa heads the trust,he has never attended even a single meeting which involves building a permanent structure in Dharamsala.

Expressing faith in the Indian Judicial system,Karmapa ,however had expressed shock as having been made party in the case and being hounded on fictitious grounds”,Singh said The Karmapa had earlier filed an application before deputy commissioner,Una seeking to drop his name from the charge-sheet.