The initial probe into the death by suicide of Mahant Narendra Giri, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP), has relied on a ‘suicide note’ that was recovered by the police after the religious figure was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Monday. The Police have arrested Narendra Giri’s disciple Anand Giri on charges of ‘abetment to suicide’ and an FIR has been filed in the case under Section 306 of the IPC, at Prayagraj’s George Town police station. Police have also detained Adya Tiwari, the chief priest of Hanuman Temple in Prayagraj and his son Sandeep Tiwari, who are allegedly the other two mentioned in the suicide note.
Police told the media that a a seven-page ‘suicide note’ was recovered, in which Narendra Giri, “held his disciple and yoga guru, Anand Giri, and two others, responsible for his death.” UP DGP Mukul Goel said that the note will be sent for forensic examination as well.
Mahant Narendra Giri was found dead “under mysterious circumstances” at his residence in the Baghambari Math premises on Monday. According to news reports, the police continue to record statements, collect forensic evidence and the body will also be subjected to a post mortem examination. According to Indian Express Additional Director General (Law and Order) Prashant Kumar told the media that a team of the UP Police was sent to Haridwar where Anand Giri was detained. Haridwar Sp City Kamlesh Upadhyay told the media that the accused “Anand Giri has been taken to Uttar Pradesh by the state police.”
Confirming reports, Allahabad’s City Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Singh said the mahant was found hanging in his room. Uttar Pradesh ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar told mediapersons, “Information was received that the President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Mahant Narendra Giri died by suicide. The disciples told the police that around 3-4 pm, they broke the door which was locked from inside and found him hanging.” IG Prayagraj, KP Singh added, “Prima facie, it’s a case of suicide. I appeal all of you to maintain peace. We’ve also found a suicide note in which he has mentioned that he died by suicide & he was unhappy with one of his disciple. We’re investigating the matter. We’ll release the suicide note after forensic investigation of it.”
Meanwhile, the high-profile case has drawn attention of the Prime Minister himself, who condoled his namesake’s passing.
अखाड़ा परिषद के अध्यक्ष श्री नरेंद्र गिरि जी का देहावसान अत्यंत दुखद है। आध्यात्मिक परंपराओं के प्रति समर्पित रहते हुए उन्होंने संत समाज की अनेक धाराओं को एक साथ जोड़ने में बड़ी भूमिका निभाई। प्रभु उन्हें अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान दें। ॐ शांति!!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2021
Property dispute, misappropriation of funds?
According to some news reports, the buzz of foul play around the unnatural death is rising over an ongoing dispute over property between the Mahant and his disciple Anand Giri, now an accused. It is being reported that the Mahant and his disciple were “not even on talking terms” over the property dispute. Amar Ujala reported that the disciple had “apologised” to the Mahant on Guru Purnima following which Anand Giri was removed from the Hanuman temple administrative body as well as the Niranjan Akhada.
According to Indian Express, Mahant Narendra Giri was said to have got “Anand Giri expelled from the Niranjani akhara following allegations that he went against the traditions of the akhara by keeping in touch with his family.” On the other hand, Anand Giri accused his guru of “financial irregularities.” Some other media reports alleged that temple land had been sold off illegally and the money was diverted to private people.
Mahant Narendra Giri first took over as chief of the Akhara Parishad in 2016. It was during his tenure that the Parishad released a list of allegedly “fake saints”, reported IE, he was elected chief of the Parishad for a second time in 2019. Devendra Singh Vice President, Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad has asked that Mahant Narendra Giri’s death be probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Meanwhile, the accused Anand Giri has termed the allegation against him as a conspiracy “by people who used to extort money from Guruji and wrote my name in the letter. It needs to be investigated as guru Ji has not written a letter in his life and could not do suicide. His handwriting needs to be probed,” he reportedly told the media.
According to reports the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, announced that “the mortal remains of Narendra Giri will be kept for darshan by the general public from 11.30 am onwards at the Baghambari Math.” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath, Samajwadi Party national president and former CM Akhilesh Yadav are expected to visit Prayagraj to pay their respects.
अखिल भारतीय अखाड़ा परिषद के अध्यक्ष महंत नरेंद्र गिरि जी का ब्रह्मलीन होना आध्यात्मिक जगत की अपूरणीय क्षति है।
प्रभु श्री राम से प्रार्थना है कि दिवंगत पुण्यात्मा को अपने श्री चरणों में स्थान तथा शोकाकुल अनुयायियों को यह दुःख सहने की शक्ति प्रदान करें।
ॐ शांति!
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) September 20, 2021
Related:
Uttar Pradesh: Any neta taking notice of recent dengue, rain related deaths?
Communal violence cases nearly doubled in 2020: NCRB Report
Crimes against women highest in Uttar Pradesh: NCRB 2020 report
Two years after she was found dead, family of Mainpuri school girl awaits justice