Jana Sena leader seeks CBI, ED probe into Sarada Peetham

Jana Sena leader Peethala Murthy Yadav on Thursday sought full-scale investigation by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the financial dealings of Visakha Sarada Peetham.

He charged that the Sarada Peetham has accumulated assets worth over ₹1,000 crore.

Yadav accused Swamy Swarupananda, head of the Peetham, of illegally earning thousands of crores doing political brokerage under the guise of spiritual activities. He alleged that Swarupananda had received from the then Andhra and Telangana chief ministers Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and K. Chandrasekhar Rao government lands worth ₹500 crore for spiritual purposes, but had put it to commercial use.

The JS leader demanded that the government seize these lands and investigate the source of funds, including fixed deposits and gold reserves, amassed by Swarupananda. He alleged that the Sarada Peethadhipati had a fixed deposit of ₹44 crore in 2018.