Dharamsala, January 30
The 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, was on Sunday questioned by the Una police about huge cash, including foreign currency worth Rs 6 crore, recovered from his monastery in Sidhbari. Two more persons, including a local businessman and a bank manager, were arrested in connection with the case today.

ASP Una KG Kapoor went to Karmapa’s residence on the first floor of the Kagyu monastery with a 50-point questionnaire this afternoon. Since Karmapa cannot speak Hindi or English fluently, his advocate from the Supreme Court, Naresh Mathur, helped him in answering the police queries.

Most of the questions pertained to the foreign currency, including 11 lakh Chinese Yuan, recovered from the monastery and land deal being struck between the Karma Garchen Trust (running under the Karmapa) and Dharamsala-based businessman KP Bharadwaj, who has been arrested.

According to sources, the Karmapa denied any information regarding the currency. He maintained that his staff managed the offerings made to him by disciples from across the world.

After quizzing the Karmapa, the Una ASP told reporters that the Buddhist leader extended full cooperation. “He could be questioned again if the police feels the need to do so,” said the ASP, adding that the Karmapa’s name has not yet been included in the case.

Meanwhile, KP Bharadwaj was arrested at Bagalamukhi temple on Ranital-Dehra road late on Saturday night. The police detained and later arrested him while he was performing ‘puja’ at the temple along with his family. The temple is known in the region for ‘tantra pujas’ to ward off evils.

The Una police had recovered Rs 1 crore stashed in a bag from a vehicle owned by Bharadwaj on January 26 and arrested his driver and another person.

Later, investigations revealed that the money was a part payment of a land deal between the trust and Bharadwaj. As per the statement given by the Karma Garchen Trust to the police, the payment of Rs 1 crore was made to Bharadwaj’s driver from their Majnu Ka Tila office in Delhi on January 25. Bharadwaj claimed that his driver tried to deposit money in his Ambala account of Corporation Bank. However, since the driver arrived late, the manager of the bank gave him a letter that amount could not be deposited.

The police has arrested the bank manager, DK Dhar, who, in his statement, has owned up the letter. The letter also says that Baradwaj bears a good character and was an old client of the bank.

Dhar said he issued the letter to facilitate a loyal customer. However, the police is maintaining that the bank manager had no authority to issue any such letter. Meanwhile, the Tibetan Youth Congress carried out a candle-lit march this evening in support of the Karmapa.