Rs 30 lakh seized from Tibetan monks

Rajesh Sharma

UNA, FEBRUARY 6

The police today seized about Rs 30 lakh unaccounted money in various currencies from four Tibetan monks on the Mehatpur inter-state barrier near here. It includes Rs 25.40 lakh in Indian currency, 40,420 yuans and $16.

According to DSP, Headquarters, Kulvinder Singh, a Fortuner vehicle, bearing registration number DL01CQ 4402, coming from the Nangal side was stopped for a routine check. The cash was recovered from a bag in the vehicle, he said.

The four occupants of the vehicle, reportedly affiliated to Tibetan monasteries and organisations in Dharamsala, are Hu Tuk Tuk Kirti Lobsang (74), a supreme head of a Tibetan organisation, Tsundu (46), of the Kirti monastery in McLeodganj, Sherab Tashi (45) affiliated to the Kirti Monastic Institute for Higher Tibetan Studies, and vehicle driver Kunhok Top (47), from a Tibetan children’s organisation.

The DSP said since the four were unable to give any details regarding the money, Income Tax officials had been informed, adding that senior officials from Panchkula were expected here late this evening.

Transfer and stashing of huge amounts of unaccounted money had been reported at the Tibetan organisations in Dharamsala and other parts of the country.

The police believe that the money is meant for a monastery in McLeodganj on the outskirts of Dharamsala town, some 250 km from here.

On January 26, 2011, Rs 1 crore was seized at the same barrier which was being taken from Majnu Ka Tilla in Delhi to Dharamsala. Investigations had revealed that the money belonged to the Gyuto Tantrik Monastic Trust headed by the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, heading the Karmae Garchen Trust located at Sidhbari in Dharamsala.

As per the investigations, the amount was to be paid by the trust to a Dharmsala resident for a 52-kanal land deal.