‘Godman’ in Odisha caught in ‘unholy’ row

The local channels showed a purported photograph of Sarathi Baba wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and sporting sunglasses, reportedly in the lobby of a posh Hyderabad hotel.

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The reports led to protests by residents and local organisations, who demanded Sarathi Baba’s arrest. As the protests spread, the state government on Thursday ordered a Crime Branch probe into his alleged immoral activities and illegal accumulation of wealth. Crime Branch ADG B K Sharma said a team of investigators would probe all the complaints against him.

A six-member team of the Crime Branch, led by Additional SP Santosh Patnaik, arrived in Kendrapara town this morning and interrogated Sarathi Baba for several hours. “On the basis of the outcome of the initial interrogation, appropriate action will be taken,” said Sharma.

Meanwhile, Section 144 was imposed on the road leading to Kendarpara town as well as the area around Sarathi Ashram in Barimula following a lathicharge on Thursday. But protesters defied the order and pelted the police with stones on Friday morning. The police cracked down with teargas shells and lathicharge.

Seventeen platoons of police forces have been deployed to bring the situation under control. The Kendrapara Superintendent of Police (SP) has been shunted out and Vigilance SP Nitinjeet Singh has been appointed in his place.

“We have arrested 10 people. The situation will be brought under control soon,” said Inspector General R P Koche, who has rushed to Kendrapara.

Sarathi Baba, who set up an ashram at Barimula in Kendrapara in 1992-93, is reported to have a substantial following among farmers, homemakers and small traders in the state. Last year, he set up a huge temple in Kendrapara, and was reported to sit on a throne inside. He has denied the charges against him, and alleged a “conspiracy to defame” him.