The Bombay High Court was on Friday told that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had started investigations into complaints of alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds at the Osho Trust in Pune
The Bombay High Court was on Friday told that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had started investigations into complaints of alleged fraud and misappropriation of funds at the Osho Trust in Pune.
Justices Naresh Patil and Prakash Deu Naik were hearing a petition filed by Yogesh Thakker, one of the disciples of Bhagwan Rajneesh, Osho. Thakkar had alleged that Osho’s will, presented in a court in Spain for execution after 23 years (in 2013), was fake, and was executed only to benefit six administrators of the trust.
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Sandesh Patil, counsel representing ED, told the court that ED had started investigations in the case. “We are searching for the trail and if any valuables were taken out of India by the six administrators,” said Patil.
“The will was purposely presented before a court in Spain, and not in Pune, and that too after 23 years,” said Pradeep Havnur, counsel for Thakker.
Sangeeta Shinde, government pleader, told the court that the government handwriting expert has said that he will not be in a position to give his opinion on the veracity of Osho’s signature based on the photocopy of the will. The original will is not available. Justice Patil then said to police, “Your attitude towards investigations is very callous. You have been investigating the case since 2013 and only when we interfered, you have started showing some progress. Make sure some responsible officers are present in court.”
“No two signatures of a person can be the same. We had one signature of Osho taken in 1987 and the signature on the will matches it,” said Mahesh Jethmalani, senior counsel appearing for one of the six administrators of the will.
The High Court will hear the matter on October 23.
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