Karmapa’s monastery raided, aide arrested

DHARAMSALA - Himachal Pradesh Police Thursday raided the monastery of 17th Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorjee, the third most important Tibetan spiritual leader, here and arrested his close aide, a top police officer said.

The arrest was made in connection with the seizure of unaccounted money from two people Wednesday night. Police believe the money was meant for some “illegal” land deal in Dharamsala in Kangra district with the involvement of Karmapas aide Rubgi Chosang.

The raid on Karmapas monastery was conducted following seizure of Rs.1 crore from two people last (Wednesday) night, Director General of Police D.S. Manhas told reporters.

Sanyog and Ashutosh, both belonging to this town, were arrested in Una district, bordering Punjab.

He said it seemed that the money was brought to the state for making payments for some land deal by the monastery officials.

Police suspect that the cash was drawn from two private banks in New Delhi a few days ago.

Inspector General P.L. Thakur said a substantial amount of foreign currency was also seized from the offices in Karmapas monastery.

He added that the Karmapa would be questioned if needed.

The Karmapa is the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu school, one of the four sects of Buddhism. He is considered the third most important Tibetan religious head after the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.

The Karmapa fled Tibet and sought refuge in India in January 2000. Ever since, he has mostly lived in the Gyuto Tantric monastery in Sidhbari near Dharamsala - the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile.