Sai Baba trust paints pretty picture; rules out conflict

Puttaparthi, Apr 28: Setting aside rumours over the tussle on who would head the Sai Baba Central Trust after the godman's demise on Apr 24, the trust will go ahead and function according to the wishes of the

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After a tearful farewell when Baba was buried on Apr 27, the trust held a condolence meeting to mourn the death of the spiritual guru. One of the members of the trust Justice P N Bhagwati said that the government would not have a say in the matters of the trust. There were earlier reports of government moving ahead to gain control over the trust.

Bhagwati was quoted as saying, “The government has faith and confidence in us and we will run the trust as per the directions outlined by the Baba. The trust is doing well and we will continue to do well. It has been kept in a fitful condition by Baba, it is registered and its aims and objectives are very clear. There is no difficulty in running the trust, and everything will be smooth.''

While media went into overdrive over the riches that the trust enjoys and unconfirmed reports of a large amount of jewellery being moved from the Prashathi Nilayam to an undisclosed location in Bangalore, Bhagwati commented, "All the wealth is here. No money has been sent away anywhere and everything is concentrated in Puttaparthi itself. There is nothing to worry on that count. Any other story on this is nothing but a story given out by some interested parties. There is no truth in any of the allegations.''

With conflicting views on Sai Baba's empire's net worth, there is a lot of focus on who would handle the trust that have been engaging in a lot of humanitarian causes. (Read:Hushed-up spat brewing over Sai Baba's Rs 40,000 cr trust?)

Rubbishing all rumours that there are conflicts within the trust, he added, “Baba had already settled everything. There are already well laid-out conditions. We will carry out the work according to Baba's directions. After all, we are all trustees appointed by Baba himself and have been directed by Baba on how the work has to be carried out. We will do so only according to Baba's will and direction. The trustees are united.''

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