The money, Malvinder alleged, was transferred into the bank accounts of “Guruji” Dhillon and his associates in the form of loans made through a complicated network of smaller corporations, and used, in part, to expand the sect’s real-estate empire. The century-old spiritual organisation’s head, 64-year-old Gurinder Singh Dhillon, is at the centre of one of India’s most high-profile business fiascos this year.īaba Gurinder Singh Dhillon | Radha Soami Satsang Beas | In October, former billionaire brothers Malvinder and Shivinder Singh, now on the verge of bankruptcy, were arrested by the Delhi Police economic offences wing (EOW) for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 2,397 crore to Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL), a subsidiary of Religare Enterprises.Įight months prior to that, Malvinder, the embattled business tycoon and former Ranbaxy, Religare and Fortis promoter, had filed a criminal complaint against his younger brother Shivinder, claiming that he conspired with a number of close associates to siphon off Rs 2,700 crore from their family’s holding company (RHC Holdings). The going rate for such land in south Delhi is Rs 6 to Rs 40 crore per acre.Materialism, fickle personal attachments, and capital-driven calendars of “eating, sleeping and accumulating personal wealth” are presented as modern-day obstacles to comprehending the true purpose of our lives.īut outside the cocoon of the Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) ashram in Bhati, Chhatarpur, the spiritual organisation’s moral messaging is becoming increasingly hard to believe.
So far, 125 acres of land has been reclaimed. These farmhouses with gates and huge boundary walls also have approach roads, besides electricity and water supplies. Overall, about 480 acres of land is said to be under illegal occupation by various individuals and organisations in the sanctuary.Īfter Hindustan Times on April 12 laid bare a systemic land grab in the sanctuary, the forest department started demolishing boundary walls of illegal farmhouses there. The complaints claim five land parcels of the 5,000-acre sanctuary and 16 outside it (which could be termed eco-sensitive zone) have been occupied by RSSB. Its website says the organisation is based on the spiritual teachings of all religions and dedicated to a process of inner development. On its sprawling and well-maintained campus in south Delhi, RSSB holds frequent gatherings where speakers such as Baba Gurinder Singh Maharaj, Master at Beas, and other speakers deliver spiritual talks. Our land and property are not there on the list.”
The forest department on Monday issued a notification, detailing all khasras (land parcels) belonging to them. RSSB (Bhatti Mines) secretary Kamal Gurbuxani told HT, “No forest land is under our occupation. The organisation, however, vehemently denied the allegations. Please act and get the land returned to the forest department,” the complaints read.Ī senior Delhi Police official said, “Yes, we have recieved complaints from the forest department. These violations could be probed only by an assistant commissioner of police. “This violates sections of Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972 and the Indian Forest Act, 1927. It seems on his directive, one Chandan Sharma is obstructing the survey work being done by us.” “It seems the head of RSSB, with help from his supporters, has occupied land and is trying to occupy more land.
The department has alleged the philosophical and charitable organisation, with several national and international centres, has occupied 72 acres of land in the Asola-Bhatti wildlife sanctuary in south Delhi and 51 acres of the adjoining Ridge or reserve forest.ĭestruction of the Delhi ridge, of which the sanctuary is a part, means desertification of Delhi, fall of its water table and more pollution.ĭeputy range officer of Delhi’s lone wildlife sanctuary, Dharam Singh, on Monday filed two complaints - HT has copies - with the police and made these allegations. The Delhi centre of Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) has occupied 123 acres of forest land, the forest department has alleged.