The Satya Sai Central Trust acquired powers to choose a successor to Sai Baba long ago by making amendments to the Trust rules even when the spiritual maser was alive, according to new facts that have seen the light of the day.

The two amendments have reduced the powers of the Baba to a big zero and made the Trustees the ultimate decision makers in the affairs of the Trust.

The first amendment was made in 1994 after police killings took place in the chambers of the Baba. The amendment stipulates that in case the trust had to be dissolved for any reason, then its assets would be transferred to another charitable trust, society, association or institution having similar objectives and enjoying exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Prior to this, the Trust did not talk of any possibility of dissolution. The objective of this amendment is to ensure that the assets of the Trust would are not usurped by any trustee.

The second amendment, however, was made in 2010 and according to it, Sathya Sai Baba would always remain the founder trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and in case he decides not to act or is unable to act in such capacity, then the trustees could appoint a suitable person in his place.

The earlier rules made no mention of the appointment of a successor but only said it was Sai Baba who had the authority to appoint or remove any member of the trust. After the amendment, the trust members had acquired the powers to appoint or remove any member except the founding member.

According to sources, the second amendment was made when Sai Baba’s movements were restricted to a wheel chair due to a hip fracture and his public appearances cut down drastically.