Hyderabad, April 22
As the renowned Godman Sathya Sai Baba is fighting a losing battle following multi-organ dysfunction, the reports of an alleged internal tussle for control over his spiritual empire are causing a sense of disquiet among millions of devotees.

There are reports of differences between the family members of the 85-year-old Baba and the authorities of Sathya Sai Central Trust who manage the affairs of “Prashanthi Nilayam”, the spiritual abode of Baba.

A veil of secrecy surrounds the functioning of the nine-member Trust which includes former Chief Justice of Supreme Court PN Bhagvathi, former Vice-Chancellor SV Giri, Indulal Shah and retired IAS officer K Chakravarthi who is the secretary. Baba’s nephew RJ Ratnakar is the sole representative from the family on the trust board. Though the Andhra Pradesh government has ruled out the take-over of the Trust, whose properties are estimated to be worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore spread across the globe, it has been keeping a close watch on the emerging developments and coordinating with the Trust officials and family members over the smooth transfer of the reins.

The opaque functioning of the Trust has prompted a flurry of sensational reports in the local media suggesting that all is not well in the ashram. The Trust runs several schools, colleges, a deemed university, two super-speciality hospitals and implements drinking water schemes in several places. Besides, the Sathya Sai Seva Centres are spread over 110 countries. However, the financial details of the Trust are not in the public domain.

Meanwhile, the Trust has threatened to launch legal proceedings against some media houses for “sensational and totally false reporting.”

“It is unfortunate that at a time when we are facing a grave crisis, there has been a series of calumnious reports by a couple of newspapers. Some news channels of electronic media are also indulging in sensational and totally false reporting. The reports contain absolutely false, unsubstantiated allegations imputing financial irregularities, defalcation of funds, commission of illegalities, violation of laws, denial of proper food and nutrition to Baba and wrongfully holding him in confinement,” a statement signed by all the members of the Trust and released by Ratnakar said.

Meanwhile, the doctors treating Baba at the Sri Satya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences (SSSIHMS) at Puttaparthi said that the response by vital organs to the treatment continued to be minimal.

“Sai Baba continues to be in a very critical state of health. His respiration is supported by ventilator. He has been put on CRRT system of dialysis to assist kidney functioning. His heart rate and blood pressure continue to be low and continue to be supported by drugs,” a medical bulletin issued by the super-speciality hospital said.

Scores of devotees continued to pour into Puttaparthi as news of Baba’s deteriorating health spread.