'Cash stash' may land Baba Ramdev in dock

NEW DELHI: The stage is being set for action against yoga guru Baba Ramdev, with a multi-agency probe revealing that companies owned by his trusts have clandestinely sent large amounts of money abroad, official sources said.
These entities are among 100-odd companies owned by Baba’s trusts in Kanpur, some of which were launched as late as last month.

The Enforcement Directorate is investigating two large remittances allegedly made by Ramdev’s trusts —$300,000 sent to London and $80,000 sent to Madagascar , an island off the southeastern coast of Africa.
RBI has been asked to look into the case and verify if an approval was sought before these fund transfers were made, sources claimed.

Ramdev’s spokesperson S K Tijarawala made light of the ED’s suspicion, but refused to comment on the two remittances under scanner.

Ramdev’s interest in acquiring a large number of ayurvedic companies in Kanpur has raised alarm, though investigating officials are awaiting responses from registrars of companies from several other states as well.
The Kanpur Registrar of Companies has sent to the agency two CDs containing information on the 100-odd companies now owned by Ramdev’s trusts, including Patanjali Yogpeeth, a senior official said.