Questions abound over assets of Sathya Sai Baba

The passing away of spiritual guru Sathya Sai Baba has raised concerns over the future of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust (SSSCT) that controls assets reported to be worth over Rs 40,000 crore.

In the absence of any recorded estimates, it is anybody's guess how wealthy Baba's central trust is, because the spiritual leader had a following of over 30 million devotees spread over 170 countries.

Even if the trust has a ready estimate it is not in the public domain, because the accounting system is shrouded in ambiguity.

According to the website of SSSCT, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations are spread over 170 countries and its educare programme has funded schools in 33 countries, including Australia, Mexico, the UK and Peru.

Besides, Prashanthi Nilayam – the abode of the Baba in Puttaparthi – the trust's assets include an institute of higher learning, a cricket stadium, an indoor stadium, a planetarium, a musical institute and an airport.

This apart, the trust has a sprawling 130-acre estate comprising Baba's ashram and a super speciality hospital at Whitefield in Bangalore, a grand function hall and Shivam Mandir in Hyderabad, Sundaram Mandir in Chennai, Ananda Nilayam in Madurai and Satyam Mandir in Mumbai.

Moreover, it was not clear whether Baba, who breathed his last on Sunday, died testate or intestate. If Sai Baba has left behind a will, which some say is the case, it has not been disclosed yet. His successor is yet to be named. A clarity in this regard is likely to emerge when the members of the trust meet after the completion of Baba's last rites at Puttaparthi on Wednesday morning.

However, the big question is whether the trust will receive the same patronage in terms of flow of funds from devotees to be able to run the existing philanthropic activities, including running hospitals and educational institutions.

According to one estimate, the trust annually receives about Rs 300 crore from donations. It is said to be among the top 10 recipients of foreign contribution in the country. The trust is registered as a charity and thus exempted from taxes.