Saturday, February 5, 2011, 14:46 [IST]

http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/05/few-more-money-monasteries-says-ed-aid0116.html

New Delhi, Feb 5: Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials, probing into the Karmapa's alleged money laundering case, hope to reach a few more door steps. The officials said that they have got reliable information against a few Buddhist monasteries, some of which receive substantial funding from Chinese individuals.

The ED officials started investigations after the recovery of unaccounted money from 17 of the Karmapa's Monastery near Dharamshala. The amount recovered is estimated to be more than Rs 7 crore.  Officials said that from the unaccounted money most of the Indian currency is believed to be phony. Other currencies though are original.

Meanwhile, Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Virbhadra Singh, on Saturday, Feb 5 backed the Tibetans, and questioned those doubting the Karmapa’s credentials.

He said, “Who says Karmapa is a Chinese spy? Have the state agencies and police done a thorough probe into this issue, or, have they (agencies) reached at conclusions? If not, no such impressions should be created through statements in the media.”

Officials said that they doubt some of Karmapa's associates could be involved in the thriving fake Indian currency racket, with its base in Nepal.

"We know of four-five major monasteries in the northeast and Ladakh where we have seen significant money coming from Chinese individuals. The funding comes from Chinese individuals and not any state agencies," a senior official said.

Sources said that those in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are among the monasteries receiving Chinese funding.