HP govt clean chit to Karmapa in foreign currency haul case

Shimla, Feb 11 (PTI) The Himachal Pradesh governmenttoday gave a clean chit to Karmapa Ugyen Trinely Dorji in aforeign currency haul case, saying he has no links with themoney seized from his transit home near Dharamsala.

"The huge foreign currency recovered during raids fromthe Gyuto Monastery, the transit home of the Karmapa, aredonations and offerings from devotees and the Karmapa has nolinks with it as the affairs of the trust are managed bytrustees," Chief Secretary Rajwant Sandhu told reporters here.

"The Karmapa is a revered religious leader of theBuddhists and the government has no intentions to interfere inreligious affairs of the Buddhists," she said, adding therewas no question of any action against the Karmapa and also noreason to believe that he has links with the foreign currencyseizure to the tune of Rs 7.5 crore from Sidhbari.

When asked whether there was any chance of the Karmapa"being arrested" in connection with the seizure, she saidthere was "zero" possibility of any such thing happening.

While the police and the Enforcement Directorate sleuthshave quizzed the Karmapa and his aides in connection withsource of foreign currency, including Chinese currency, theinvestigating agencies claim to have got vital leads aboutpurchase of benami land plots.

Referring to alleged ''benami'' land transactions by someTibetans, Sandhu said all such transactions were being probedand the law would take its own course.

Himachal Pradesh has a stringent law that bans purchaseof land by non-agriculturists, including bonafide Himachalis,without the permission of the government. (More) PTI PCL sdgSC