NEW DELHI: The opulence of babas mushrooming across the country has caught the attention of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money which plans to take a closer look at their source of wealth and its utilization.

In recent times, many babas have been under media spotlight for their rags to riches stories and tales about their alleged double lives have also hit the headlines.

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From Sarathi Baba in Odisha to Radhe Maa in Punjab, there are numerous people who have transformed rapidly from ordinary persons to religious leaders through adoption of unconventional practices, attracting a committed band of followers.

The SC had constituted the SIT with ex-SC judge M B Shah as chairman and former SC judge Arijit Pasayat as deputy chairman to go after people holding black money in India and abroad. After initiating several measures to detect the source of black money generation, the SIT this week decided to take the help of investigating agencies in states to examine the source of wealth of these babas.

The SIT has decided to take the help of economic offences wing and the revenue departments of state governments to examine the source of these babas’ riches and the means by which they run huge establishments catering to many followers every day.

Two weeks ago, Odisha police had arrested controversial Sarathi Baba for his alleged involvement in a sexual escapade as well as cases related to cheating and forgery. Around the same time, Sukhvinder Kaur alias Radhe Maa got anticipatory bail from Bombay High Court in a dowry harassment case.

Sarathi Baba will be the first one to come under the SIT’s scanner. Sources said Justice Pasayat would soon hold meetings with top police officials and other investigating agencies of Odisha for a comprehensive examination of the wealth allegedly amassed by Sarathi Baba.

Sarathi Baba aka Satyam Raul came from a lower middle class family and started out as a spiritual leader two decades ago from Kendrapada town. He grew in stature with devotees believing that he had miraculous powers, like making honey flow from his feet. Soon, his followers included influential people from politics and bureaucracy. His fortunes saw an upward swing.

On May 24 last year, the first Cabinet meeting of the Modi government decided to constitute the SIT to dig out black money. The SIT headed by Justice Shah was set up on the directions of the SC. It will be assisted by the revenue secretary, directors of CBI, IB, RAW, ED, CBDT chairman and an RBI deputy governor.

