Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 22: The Income Tax department which raided the premises of self-proclaimed godman ‘Kalki Bhagwan’ has estimated his unaccounted wealth to be more than Rs 800 crore.

The initial estimate was Rs 409 crore. But after the raid at the group’s premises late Sunday night, the estimate is being revised. While Rs 409 crore was from unaccounted cash receipts, tax officials have found account credits of Rs 115 crore in HDFC Bank.

The bogus share capital is worth Rs 61 crore and foreign investments in Africa, Dubai and British Virgin Islands through hawala transactions cross Rs 100 crore.

The godman who calls himself to be the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu has benami properties of 4000 acres.

The raid conducted by over 300 IT department sleuths lasted for 4 days and ended at 11 pm on Sunday. It was conducted simultaneously across Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Varadaiahpalem near Chittoor along the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border where the ashram’s headquarters is located.

A huge stash of cash was seized from the premises. However, the godman’s son NKV Krishna and daughter-in-law are reportedly not cooperating with the IT sleuths. They are refusing to answer questions as well as sign statements.

The 70-year-old godman had started an institution called ‘Jeevashram’ school in the mid-80s. He promoted an alternative form of education for his disciples and opened the 'Oneness University' at his Chittoor campus. The group runs residential training programmes in philosophy and spirituality, which are held through ‘wellness courses’.

The IT department received a tip-off that cash donations to the Trust are not accounted and used to fund other businesses. During the raid, 90 kg gold and other valuables were also seized.