CBI begins probe against Ramdev's aide Acharya Balkrishna

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today began a preliminary enquiry against yoga guru Baba Ramdev's aide Acharya Balkrishna, who allegedly holds a fake passport. Ramdev denied any wrongdoing by his aide.

The CBI received a complaint from the central government on Saturday night that Balkrishna allegedly holds a fake passport. "Today a preliminary enquiry has been registered," said an official.

Ramdev said, "We followed the legal path to obtain his (Balkrishna's) passport. Why are they blaming us and not the government agencies which issued the passport?."

The CBI said they also received a complaint that Balkrishna holds more than one passport.

"There are also allegations that he is from Nepal and has forged an Indian passport," said the official.

After the crackdown on Baba Ramdev's fast against corruption earlier this month, the government asked security agencies to probe the allegations that Balkrishna holds multiple passports.

Balkrishna, who resurfaced in Haridwar two days after mysteriously disappearing following the crackdown, denied all the allegations and asserted that he is an Indian and holds an Indian passport.

Baba Ramdev's business empire comprises 34 companies which are controlled by Balkrishna.