Raids continue at Gyuto monastery

Raids continue at Gyuto monastery

Raids continue at Gyuto monastery

Ashwani Sharma
Tags : Gyuto monastery, raids, Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje
Posted: Sat Jan 29 2011, 00:27 hrs
Shimla:

Policemen outside the monastery.


Nearly 12 years after a “daring escape” from Tibet in 1999, 17th Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje — then only 14 — and his Gyuto monastery in Dharamshala have come under scanner with top state and central agencies stepping-up investigations into the source of the huge cash and foreign currencies recovered from the monastery complex.



With raids continuing for the second day, except for the accounted currency seized on Friday, the police claimed to have recovered Rs 6.50 crore worth foreign currency — belonging to at least 23 countries, including China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia, Denmark, Korea, Australia, Japan,Thailand, US, UK and Nepal.


So far, only three arrests — most significant among them being Shakti Lama, a close aide of the Karmapa — have been made. The police has not ruled out more arrests, including those who handled money at the monastery .


Director General of Police D S Manhas, who had rushed to Dharamshala on Thursday evening after the raids, visited the monastery on Friday and held discussions with IG (Kangra) P S Thakur and SP Daljit Thakur. “Central agencies, including Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department, are involved in the probe as it has become necessary to know about the source of the currency and also violations committed in keeping such a huge amount in the monastery,” said Manhas in Dharamshala.


The Tibetan government-in-exile, based at Mcleodganj, is also understood to have been taken by surprise. Karmapa’s sister Ngadup Palzom was the only one to react to the raids. “Karmapa has nothing to do this money or currency. His job is to preach. There are other people who look after monastery’s affairs,” she said.


Spokesman of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Thubten Samphel, said: “We have nothing to say about the controversy. People looking after Karmapa’s affairs should know and abide by Indian laws regarding donations and offerings.”


What’s has further put Karmapa under the scanner was the recovery of Chinese currency almost to the tune of 11.23 lakh Yaun. “The ministries of External Affairs and Home have sought reports from Dharamshala,” said an official in Delhi.


The seized currency


Chinese 11.23 lakh, US 6.37 lakh, Hong Kong 5.67 lakh, Korean 2.70 lakh, Indonesia 16.37 lakh, Taiwan 7.38 lakh, Nepal 4.18 lakh, Australian 3.20 lakh, Germany 3,600 lakh, Singapore 0.72 lakh, etc