Cbi, I-T Asks Swami For List Of Donors

visits and opulent lifestyle.

Sources in the investigating agencies said that Chandraswami has not been forthcoming with the information, though he has repeatedly mentioned their names during interrogation. A CBI source said that if the names cannot be obtained, one way to further the probe would be to check each and every bank transaction of the Vishwa Dharmayatan Trust floated by him.

But, this could take long and donations received abroad would not come within the purview of the investigations.

Chandraswami, who is known to be close to former Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, has told his interrogators several times that he has regularly received donations from his disciples, who have also paid for his overseas visits time and again. In this connection, he was interrogated by the CBI, apart from the income tax authorities, for several hours on Thursday.

Chandraswamis troubles, for the moment, seem far from over. After the I-T sleuths raided his ashram last year, documents relating to a number of monetary transactions, including the account of international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, came to notice.

As of now, the statements recorded by Chandraswami and those of his associates and disciples at the ashram are being compared, according to one source. The inconsistencies in their statements are areas which require further probe, said an official.

Asked if Chandraswami would be served with a notice again for his questioning, the sources said that this could not be ruled out.