Kendrapara, Aug. 18: The state crime branch today detected Rs 52 lakh in cash at five accounts of the self-proclaimed spiritual leader Sarathi baba in a nationalised bank here.

The accounts belong to Santosh Raula alias Sarathi baba and his adopted son Satyam Raula, apart from the Satyam charitable trust founded by Sarathi.

Satyam's safe deposit locker became operational on July 15. However, it was found empty, said an investigating official.

In another development, a woman, whose spouse was Sarathi's devotee, alleged that the self-styled spiritual leader had sexually exploited her. In a complaint with Nikirai police, she alleged that her spouse had colluded with Sarathi and exploited her. The victim, who got married on January 18, has already got separated from her spouse,0 police said.

"The police have registered a case against all those named in the FIR. The victim's husband is absconding. The cops have detained the father-in-law of the victim as there are also charges of dowry related harassment. The victim's statement was recorded before the local sub-divisional judicial magistrate," said inspector in charge of Nikirai police station P.K. Nayak.

In another development, a team of the crime branch officials today examined the CCTV footages of the Hyderabad hotel where Sarathi had alleged stay with a girl. The girl stated that she had accompanied Sarathi in the hotel. The crime branch has also formed a separate team of officials, including lady officers, to probe into the allegations.

The investigating officials have summoned people associated with around 50 Sarathi Samitis in the state to examine their financial records. It was alleged that these samitis used to collect money from devotees and provide funds to him.

In yet another development, the Congress and the BJP today alleged that the vigilance wing could not properly tackle the land-grabbing case against former Kendrapara police superintendent Satish Gajbhiye.

Orissa High Court has passed strictures against vigilance director K.V. Singh for his alleged role in framing a corruption case against CRPF director-general Prakash Mishra.

"We do not expect a partisan person like him conducting a proper inquiry against Gajbhiye," said Congress MLA Debendra Sharma. BJP MLA Rabi Nayak echoed the same.