Osho disciples move HC, claim `300-cr fraud
Funds being transferred to pvt firm, allege petitioners
Rajesh Rao @ryterrajesh
Pune: The Osho Commune is once again embroiled in a controversy with two Osho disciples filing a writ petition in the Bombay High Court seeking an inquiry into alleged misappropriation of funds and assets of the Osho Ashram Trust worth over Rs300 crore allegedly being manipulated by the trustees who are also directors.
The petition bearing number Civil WP-5300/2013 dated 10/06/2013, is filed by Yogesh Thakkar (Swami Prem Geet) and Kishor Rawal (Swami Prem Anadi). The petition refers to an application for interim relief made to the charity commissioner in December 2011 and the delay taking place for hearing of the same. The petition has produced evidence of transfer of funds and assets before the high court and seeks various reliefs.
Speaking to dna, Thakkar alleged that the trustees are siphoning funds and properties of the trusts, Osho International Foundation (OIF) and Neo Sannyas Foundation (NSF), valued at over Rs300 crore to their private company registered as Osho Multimedia and Resorts Pvt
Ltd (OMR), earlier known as Zen Properties (Resorts) Pvt Ltd.
“Surprisingly, these transfers are being done with the consent of the charity commissioner by hiding material facts. This misappropriation of funds is limited to within India and more inquiry can give leads to the scam spreading overseas,” he alleged. On contacting Osho Meditation Resort, Ma Amrit Sadhana from the management team refused to give any clarification and said the matter is sub judice and she cannot comment on it. The petition mentions the names of Michael O’Byrne (alias Swami Anand Jayesh), John Andrews (alias Swami Amrito), Darcy O’Byrne (alias Swami Yogendra), Mukesh Sarda (alias Swami Mukesh Bharti) and others, allegedly involved in misappropriation of ashram trust funds.
“The per day income of Osho Dharamshala in Pune is over Rs1.25 lakh. As per the bills made, we found that over Rs54.75 crore have been transferred to OMR, in the last 12 years since it started,” Thakkar alleged in his petition.
He alleged that the income is being transferred to OMR instead of the ashram trusts. The petitioners, Thakkar and Raval had earlier challenged the the alleged transfer of an ashram trust property valued at Rs50 crore as free gift to Darshan Trust in New Delhi. He pleaded to the court in their petition to protect Osho ashram and appoint a court commissioner for the same.
Published Date: Aug 09, 2013
