Baba Ramdev welcomes CBI inquiry into his guru's disappearance

ALLAHABAD: Yoga master Ramdev today welcomed the CBI inquiry into the mysterious disappearance of his guru, but questioned the motive behind ordering of the probe when the Maha Kumbh is underway.

The move was aimed at "discrediting" religious figures in the country, Ramdev told a press conference here.

"I welcome the CBI inquiry and hope that the probe agency brings out the complete truth behind the disappearance of my guru Shankar Dev about whom I am as concerned as a son would be for his father," he said.

"However, the timing of the probe order makes me suspicious of the government's motive. It has been long since Shankar Dev has been traceless. But the inquiry order comes at a time when we are taking part in Maha Kumbh.

"It looks like a conspiracy aimed at discrediting dharmasatta (clout of religious figures) in the country," he said.

Swami Shankar Dev had gone missing on July 14, 2007 after he went out for a morning walk.

On October 13 last year, the Uttarakhand government had recommended a CBI probe into the disappearance of the Swami.