The Central investigation agencies suspect that a large amount of foreign currency, nearly worth `20 crores, had been illegally stashed away by the trust backed by Karmapa Ugyen Trinley Dorje. Government sources said that investigation is going on to ascertain whether the ‘’unaccounted’’ money could have been used to amass
benami property. The alleged Chinese linkages of the Karmapa are already under the scanner with agencies not ruling out the possibility of the money being re-routed to monasteries in China or relatives of the Karmapa. Government officials said the Karmapa had deposited `3 crores received in last three years as donations to the bank account of the trust and kept with him more than double the amount of cash.
Dismissing suggestions that the Tibetan spiritual leader was unaware about Indian laws, an official said: “The law of the land applies to everyone. If anyone is involved in any illegal act, we are bound to take action against him or her.” While the police and Enforcement Directorate sleuths have quizzed Karmapa and his aides in connection with source of foreign currency, including Chinese currency, the investigating agencies claim to have got vital leads about purchase of benami land plots. Bank accounts of the trust and its trustees have already been frozen.
Himachal Pradesh has a stringent law that bans purchase of land by any non-agriculturists, including bonafide Himachalis without the permission of the government. The permission for purchase of land in relaxation of Section 118 of HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act is given by the government for projects, institution and bonafide Himachalis but the Tibetans, who have a “refugee” status, cannot purchase any land.