Followers of Sathya Sai Baba on Saturday took out a rally here protesting the alleged mishandling of funds of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and other controversies involving some of its members.
Traders in Puttaparthi also shut down their shops and gathered at the Hanuman Temple Circle to take part in the protests, police said.
Later, the protesters took out a rally from Hanuman Temple Circle to Mandal Revenue Office (MRO) where they submitted a memorandum demanding intervention of the government, they said.
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The protesters were carrying placards and demanded abolishment of the Sathya Sai Central Trust board and appointment of a special officer on the lines of Titrumala Tirupati Devesthanam (TTD) to look after the activities of the Trust, police said.
The rally was peaceful and about 100 traders and followers participated in it, they said.
A day after disclosure of assets by the Trust members, police seized Rs 35 lakh cash while being transported in a four-wheeler at Kodikonda check-post under Chilamanthur police station limits in Anantapur district on July 18. Two trust members have been called by police for questioning in connection with the case.
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Earlier on June 17, the trust members opened Yajur Mandir, the private chamber of late Sathya Sai Baba, and it was disclosed that it contained 98 kg of gold, 307 kg of silver, apart from Rs 11.56 crore.