Two more arrested, Karmapa denies Chinese links

SHIMLA/DHARAMSALA: A Dharamsala-based businessman and a bank manager have been arrested in connection with seizure of foreign currency worth over Rs 7.5 crore from the offices of a trust backed by the Karmapa who has denied any Chinese links and said the charges were "grossly speculative".

Businessman K P Bhardwaj and Manager of Ambala branch of the Corporation Bank D K Dhar were arrested following raids conducted on residence and hotel of Bharadwaj and clues provided by him during questioning with regard to the money trail, Inspector General of Police P L Thakur told media.

With this, the number of people taken into custody has risen to five.

A spokesman for the Karmapa has denied any Chinese links and described the allegation against him and his administration as "grossly speculative and without foundation".

The IGP said Bharadwaj had told the police that the bank manager had issued an "authorisation letter" that the money was meant for some land deal.

The police arrested two persons -- Ashutosh and Sanjay Dutt -- on January 26 after alleged recovery of Rs 1 crore and later nabbed Shakti Lama, a key functionary of the Karmapa backed trust, who were remanded in police custody for nine days.

The police is likely to question the Karmapa about the foreign currency recovered from the trust and premises of his aides.

The sleuths of Intelligence Bureau, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department have also joined the probe.

"The police have so far not reached any conclusion about the source of the money and all documents including the computer of Karmapa were being thoroughly scanned," Thakur said, adding that the police had never said anything about "Chinese links" of the Karmapa.

The statement by the Karmapa's office said, "We categorically deny having any link whatsoever with any arm of the Chinese Government and like to state that the allegations being levelled against the Karmapa and his administration are grossly speculative and without foundation in the truth as everyone who knows the history of our lineage and struggle is surprised by the allegations."

It said, "Monasteries across the world accept offerings from devotees in various forms and there is nothing surprising, new or irregular in this.