Enforcement Directorate files PMLA, FEMA case against Asaram Bapu

AHMEDABAD: The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday filed a case under stringent provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act and Prevention of Money Laundering Act against self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and his son Narayan Sai.

According to official sources, all properties, land and 400 ashrams are to be investigated, along with all financial transactions made by the father-son duo. The case was filed by Gujarat's Enforcement Directorate office.

According to ED sources, the recent involvement of Asaram Bapu's supporter in a bribery case, where nearly Rs 13 crore was brought in to grease the palms of Surat police officials, led to the directorate upping the ante.

Narayan Sai (41) was booked in December 2013 for allegedly trying to bribe Surat Police and other officials for support to weaken the case against his father and him. Both are facing charges of sexual exploitation and rape.

Ahmedabad's Enforcement Directorate also filed a case against Dharmendra Gandhi under the PMLA for a Rs 25-crore fraud concerning Ahmedabad People's Cooperative Bank. Sources say two of Gandhi's bunglows in Satellite Area were attached on Thursday. Investigation into the Rs 380-crore ponzi scheme against Abhay Gandhi has also been started.