More skeletons tumble out

LUCKNOW: :Details mentioned in the power of attorney related to the 58 bigha-land of the Ram Janki temple trust, estimated to be worth several crore rupees, has led to suspicion over the involvement of people associated with the trust in the alleged conspiracy behind the mysterious death of priest Prem Das, said police officials.

Officials suspected that people associated with the trust tried to get their hold on the trust’s property by misleading the police about the facts of the power of attorney and tried to capitalise on public emotions after the priest’s death.

The body of Prem Das, 60, was found hanging from the ceiling of the temple’s main entrance on January 2 after which hundreds of people resorted to violence and staged a protest led by Mauni Baba, who is associated with the trust and local MLA and former minister Manoj Pandey.

Mauni Baba had lodged an FIR for murder in the dispute over possession of the trust property against four people. “Mauni Baba became the complainant as Prem Das had transferred the power of attorney of the trust in his name barely 13 days before his mysterious death,” a senior police official associated with the probe said.

“The power of attorney clearly mentioned that it will be considered null and void in the case of Prem Das’ death. The power of attorney only allows Mauni Baba to take care of the property and the functioning of the trust”.

He said Mauni Baba, who had the power of attorney, did not share this fact with the police.