State officials found no evidence against the third highest-ranking Tibetan Buddhist leader who had been accused of being a Chinese mole. Exiled Tibetans are satisfied, convinced all along of his "innocence".

Dharamsala (AsiaNews) - All charges have been dropped against the Karmapa Lama, the third highest-ranking Tibetan Buddhist leader, probable head of the 'yellow hat' tradition after the death of the Dalai Lama. Authorities in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh found no evidence of conspiracy and fraud. For many observers, the case was Beijing's attempt to break the continuity of Tibetan Buddhism.

At the end of 2011, police after receiving a tipoff searched the Gyuto Monastery in Dharamsala, home of the 26-year-old head of the diamond-way Buddhism. They found cash in various currencies, including yuan, worth a million dollars, causing scandal. Some Indian media accused the Karmapa Lama of being a Chinese mole.

After police seized the money, the religious leader acknowledged its presence in the monastery but said that it was donations from around the world.

He conceded there had been "financial mismanagement" but noted has said that he is not involved in the financial affairs of his religious order. "I have my hands full in fulfilling my religious duties," he said.

"We have decided to drop all criminal charges against the Karmapa," state Home Office official S.P. Singh said yesterday. "The police and the government lawyers thoroughly investigated all the charges and found no real evidence to pursue a case against him."

Officials at the Karmapa's office welcomed the decision. "We had full confidence in the rule of law, and knew that the government would eventually conclude His Holiness was not involved in anything criminal," a spokesman said.

Recognised by both China and Tibet's exiled spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the Karmapa is loved by his followers.

After a daring escape from Tibet on a motorcycle at the age of 14, he went into exile in India. Since then, he has focused on religious teaching, but in the past few years, he has joined the 76-year-old Dalai Lama in public and political functions.

According to various analysts and many local sources, the Karmapa Lama is the likely successor to the current Dalai Lama.

With the Panchen Lama (second highest-ranking Tibetan Buddhist leader) in Chinese hands, he is the only person in line recognised by Tenzin Gyatso.

• india
• tibet
• china
• karmapa
• lama
• accusations
• conspiracy