Hyderabad, June 23
The Andhra Pradesh government is seriously considering taking over Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) in the wake of reports of financial irregularities and a bitter succession battle in the high-profile organisation which manages the multi-crore spiritual empire built by the departed Godman.

In the first indication of the government’s plans, a terse communication has been sent to the Trust, seeking a report on its assets, financial dealings and the future plans. This was the first time that such a directive was sent to the Trust since its inception in 1972. The reasons are not far to seek: The recent recovery of Rs 35.50 lakh in cash while being smuggled out of the ashram at Puttaparthi, the raging succession battle and differences within Baba’s family, have tarnished the image of the Trust.

The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy held a high-level meeting with the officials here to discuss the developments and decided to step in to clear the mess, keeping in view the sentiments of millions of Baba’s devotees.

There have been allegations from a section of devotees that the Trust members were trying to siphon out the huge cash and other valuables including gold found in “Yajurveda Mandir”, an opulent personal chamber of Sai Baba.

“In the last four decades, the government has not interfered in the affairs of the trust. But now, we are compelled to intervene in the wake of serious allegations of embezzlement of funds in Prashanti Nilayam. We have sought a report from the trust and depending on their response, we will decide on how to proceed further,” the state Endowments Minister P Lakshmaiah said today.

According to official sources, the government may consider revoking certain exemptions granted to the Trust under Section 154 of the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1997 which would enable the government to have direct supervision over the trust affairs.

The police has been directed to act firmly in connection with the allegations of financial irregularities in the Trust. The police has already served notices to the Trust members RJ Rantakar, who is Baba’s nephew, and V Srinivasan, asking them to appear before the DSP before Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ratnakar has sought more time to reply to the notice and appear before the police. The local revenue authorities have been instructed to submit a comprehensive report on whether there were any land transactions by the Trust members or their associates in the recent past.