News Analysis India

Tag: Mahant Narendra Giri

  • Power tussle: Apex body of akharas split in two factions

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW:  Nearly a month of the death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) president Mahant Narendra Giri in Prayagraj, the apex body of akharas is now a divided house with two factions. The Mahant’s alleged suicide has left the ABAP a divided house with a vertical split as seven out of the 13 akharas have elected their own office bearers, including presidents and general secretaries on Thursday drawing angry reaction from the Parishad.

    The development came ahead of the ABAP’s meeting scheduled for October 25 in Prayagraj to elect Mahant Giri’s successor. As per the ABAP tradition, if the president passes away during his tenure, the successor can be elected only from his own Akhara. Mahant Giri was the chief of the Niranjani Akhara.As per sources, the crucial meeting that took place on Thursday was chaired by ABAP vice-president Devendra Singh Shastri, who declared Mahant Ravindra Puri of the Mahanirvani Akhara as its president, while Mahant Rajendra Das of the Nirmohi Akhara was made the general secretary.

    The development has split the Parishad into two factions. On October 5, Giri’s successor at Baghambari Math was announced but speculation about his suicide note, veracity of his will and circumstances before his death stopped the Parishad from naming its chief. Giri’s death also sparked a tussle between Parishad members for control of the powerful body that has a decisive say in key Hindu festivals and events. Baba Hathyogi of the Digamber Ani Akhara, part of the first faction of dissidents, claimed that they elected office-bearers as they were “under-represented in the ABAP body and often neglected in elections”.

    Seers of the seven akharas splinter group even wanted Mahant Hari Giri, the current ABAP general secretary, to be changed. Mahant Hari Giri has termed the new set of office-bearers “unconstitutional” and invalid “under any circumstances”. 

  • CBI seeks permission for lie detector test of accused in Mahant Narendra Giri’s death case

    By ANI

    PRAYAGRAJ: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought permission from the Chief Judicial Magistrate court of Prayagraj to conduct a polygraph test (lie detector test) on the three accused in the alleged suicide case of Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) President Mahant Narendra Giri.

    Accused Anand Giri, Adhya Prasad Tiwari and Sandeep Tiwari who are currently in judicial custody till October 18 are lodged in the Naini Central Jail. Police in their application to the Prayagraj court claimed that all the three accused were not presenting true facts during their remand in police custody.

    “In order to unravel the truth behind the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, scientific tests of the above three accused persons are required to be conducted,” the CBI application said.

    Mahant Giri, who was the president of the largest organisation of saints in India, was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Baghambari Math in Prayagraj on September 20.

    A purported suicide note was recovered from the site of the incident in which the name of the seer’s disciples, Anand Giri, and two others were mentioned.

    The probe in the matter was transferred to CBI on September 23.

  • Mahant Narendra Giri death case: Akhara politics intensifies as saints’ body rejects suicide theory

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The demise of Mahant Narendra Giri has intensified Akhara politics with Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) and Nirajani Akhara rejecting the suicide theory and the note allegedly written by the late seer.

    Suspecting foul play, they demanded a probe by an HC judge.

    Notably, Mahant Narendra Giri was the president of ABAP, the apex body of 13 Akharas across the country while originally belonging to Niranjani Akhara. While interacting with the media persons in Prayagraj, the Akhara Parishad said that it had postponed the appointment of Mahant Narendra Giri’s successor at Baghambari Gaddi Muthh in Prayagraj.

    However, the late seer had written in his alleged suicide note that Mahant Balbir Giri should be nominated as his successor to head the Muthh after his death. Refusing the appointment of  Balbir Giri as the successor of the late seer, ABAP said that the letter is was fake and the appointment of his successor would be made later by the Parishad.

    It claimed that Parishad had launched its own probe into the death of Mahant Narendra Giri and it would come out with its findings only after September 25.

    ALSO READ | Mahant Narendra Giri death case: Late seer’s Niranjani Akhara owns assets running into crores

    “After September 25, when the 16–day rituals of Mahant Narendra Giriji Maharaj will conclude, the panch parmeshwar (the body making appointments) of Parishad will decide on his successor,” said Mahant Hari Giri, secretary, ABAP.

    Rejecting the suicide note, Hari Giri said that when the note was fake, how could Balbir Giri be appointed as Maharaji’s (Mahant Narendra Giri) successor. “We have postponed the meeting of panch parmeshawar,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Niranjani Akhara Mahant Ravindra Puri also claimed on Wednesday that the suicide letter was not written by Mahant Narendra Giri who was found hanging at the Baghambari Muthh. The Niranjani Akhara seers said that the Mahant was a person of grit and that he could not commit suicide.

    Both Ravindra Puri, secretary of Niranjani Akhara and Mahamandaleshwar Koshalanand, Peethaddheshwar (head) of Nirajani Akhara called for a probe to prove its veracity.

    The Niranjani Akhara seers claimed that Mahant Narendra Giri did not know how to write. “He could only sign,” said Koshalanand adding: “It seems that the note was written by a person technically and legally very sound.”

    Claiming that the name of successor was not written correctly on the note, Ravindra Puri said that Balbir’s surname was Puri and not Giri. “In the suicide letter, it is written Giri, Narendra Giri cannot make such a mistake,” he added.

  • Mahant Narendra Giri laid to rest in Allahabad

    By PTI

    ALLAHABAD: The last rites of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri were performed here on Wednesday at Baghambari Muth, where the seer was buried in samadhi two days after he was found dead by his disciples.

    Earlier in the day, a panel of five doctors conducted an autopsy, after which the body was given a bath at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and mythical Sarasvati rivers.

    The seer was given the “bhoo samadhi” under a lemon tree in the Muth around 3 pm.

    The post-mortem examination lasted for about two-and-a-half-hours and the report was handed over to senior police officials in a sealed cover.

    There was heavy deployment of security personnel at the site where the autopsy was conducted.

    Meanwhile in Meerut, UP Congress chief Ajay Kumar Lallu demanded a CBI probe into the death under the supervision of the High Court.

    Speaking to reporters, he alleged that the state government is misleading followers of the seer and efforts are being made to hide the truth.

    How did police reach the conclusion whether it was a suicide or murder without conducting a post-mortem, he said.

    Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had on Tuesday said all aspects related to the death are being investigated and the guilty will not be spared.

    The Uttar Pradesh Police had constituted an 18-member SIT to probe the death of the seer.

    His disciple Anand Giri was detained in Haridwar.

    He was produced in a court in Allahabad on Wednesday.

    Earlier, a purported suicide note was found, in which the seer wrote that Anand Giri was trying to blackmail him using a morphed picture of a woman.

    The seer purportedly wrote that he would rather die with dignity than face this false accusation.

    On Tuesday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav had paid their respects to the seer at the Muth.

    The seer, who was the president of the largest organisation of sadhus in India, was found hanging by his disciples on Monday.

  • Mahant Narendra Giri suicide case: Autopsy report says death due to asphyxiation

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: As the deceased president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), Mahant Narendra Giri was given a ‘bhoo samadhi’ (burial in ground) following all the Vedic rituals on the premises of Baghambari Mutt on Wednesday following his last wish in the alleged suicide note recovered, his post-mortem report has revealed that the death occurred due to asphyxiation.

    The report says that a ligature mark was found around his neck. However, the report has ruled out any ‘ante-mortem injuries’ on the mahant’s body.

    As per the report, the prima facie cause of death is ‘asphyxiation due to hanging’. Meanwhile, the viscera of the body was preserved by the team of doctors for further probe if needed into the cause of death.

    ALSO READ: Mahant Narendra Giri death case: Culprits will not be spared, says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

    Earlier on Wednesday, the mortal remains of Mahant Narendra Giri, who allegedly died by suicide on Monday evening, were taken to the Swaroop Rani Medical College in Prayagraj for post-mortem to ascertain the reason of his death. “A panel of 20 doctors was set up by the state government, out of which five doctors were chosen for conducting the post-mortem procedure on the body. The post-mortem will be videographed,” said one of the members of Baghamabari Mutt. As per sources, the entire autopsy process was videographed and the report was then sealed on the spot in order to ensure it is not tinkered with.

    The mortal remains of the late seer were then taken for a ‘Bhoo Samadhi’ at his Mutt. As a mark of respect, the district administration of Prayagraj had announced a holiday for secondary schools on Wednesday.

    Mahant Giri was found hanging from the ceiling fan under mysterious circumstances at his Baghambari Math residence in Prayagraj on Monday, with a purported suicide note recovered from the room where he named his disciple Anand Giri and two others responsible for his death.

    All three — Anand Giri, Adya Tiwari and his sin Sandip Tiwari – were arrested. Anand Giri was booked under Section 306 of IPC by the police for abetment of suicide. A Special Investigation Team has been set up by the state government to unveil the mystery of the Mahant’s suicide.

  • Fear of disrepute may have pushed Akhara Parishad chief Mahant Narendra Giri to death

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The mystery over the alleged suicide of Mahant Narendra Giri deepened as in the note recovered from his room, he expressed the fear of getting maligned by his disciple Anand Giri.

    The mahant mentioned Giri in no uncertain terms accusing him of pushing him towards ending his life. He also named Adya Tiwari and his son Sandip urging the administration to hold the trio responsible for his death. The police have taken the trio in their custody.

    In the suicide note accessed by this newspaper, the seer claimed that he had got the inputs from Haridwar that Giri was planning to defame him by leaking his picture morphed showing him with a woman.

    ALSO READ| Mahant Narendra Giri death: Culprits will not be spared, says Yogi Adityanath

    The Mahant writes that the thought of being defamed in such a way was unnerving him as he held a post of pride and such a photo would have defamed his position as chief of Akahara Parishad. “If the morphed picture goes viral, my image will be maligned initially. However, after the probe truth will come out. But by then the damage will be done. My mind is troubled because of Anand Giri,” he said.

    He further claimed: “I was going to take my life on September 13 but could not muster the courage. Today, I received information that Anand Giri will in a day or two make a photograph of mine with a woman morphed through computer viral.”

    The late seer urged his peers to appoint Mahant Balbir Giri as his successor and Mahant of the Baghambari Math. Meanwhile, besides scanning the footage of CCTV clamped in front of the room of the seer, the police are going through a video which the mahant had recorded before his death.

  • Mahant Narendra Giri death case: Culprits will not be spared, says Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

    By Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday assured the seer community of a thorough and fair probe into the mysterious demise of Mahant Narendra Giri. Yogi said the case would be investigated and the culprits would be adequately punished as per the law. 

    “No one will be spared but I request all to allow investigating agencies to do their work. No one should make unnecessary statement over the unfortunate incident. A team of four senior police officers are working on the case,” he said after paying his last respects to the seer at the Baghambari math  in Prayagraj.

    Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav demanded a judicial probe by a sitting HC judge in the high-profile case. Also, a lawyer has urged the Allahabad HC to order a probe by the CBI.

    Swami Anand Giri, whose name was mentioned in the suicide note found in the room of the mahant, was booked for abetment to suicide. SP (City) Dinesh Kumar Singh said the case was registered on the complaint of Baghambari Math sewadar Amar Giri Pawan Maharaj. 

    So far, besides the arrest of three persons including Giri, Bade Hanumanji temple priest Adhya Tiwari and his son Sandip, six more persons were detained.

    Three other persons including Additional SP OP Pandey, BJP leader Sushil Mishra and SP leader Induprakash Mishra, who was enjoying the status of a cabinet minister in the erstwhile Akhilesh Yadav government, are also under scanner.

    The sources claimed that all three had played a role in striking a truce between the mahant and his disciple as they were engaged in a dispute over a piece of land.

    In his email to the Allahabad HC Chief Justice, the lawyer  cited the media reports and linked a high-ranked police officer and land mafia to the case. The lawyer claimed that he was informed by some residents of Baghambari Gaddi about some financial misappropriation related to the incident. 

  • BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur seeks in-depth probe in death of top Hindu seer Mahant Narendra Giri

    By PTI

    BHOPAL: BJP Lok Sabha MP Pragya Singh Thakur on Tuesday sought a thorough probe either by the CBI, NIA or any other agency into the death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri.

    Talking to reporters here, Thakur said it is sad that Mahant Giri died under “mysterious circumstances”.

    The noted seer, who was the president of the largest organisation of sadhus in India, was found hanging by his disciples at Baghambari Muth in Prayagraj on Monday.

    A purported suicide note was also found, in which the seer had written that he was mentally disturbed and upset with one of his disciples, the Uttar Pradesh police had said.

    “I am fully confident that the UP’s Yogi Adityanath government will take up the issue and deliver justice. A thorough probe should be carried out either by the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation), an SIT (Special Investigation Team) or the NIA (National Investigation Agency) into the seer’s death,” the MP from Bhopal said.

    Thakur said people look up to seers for guidance in life and this incident where a well-known mahant was “killed or forced to kill himself” was a matter of concern.

    Later, talking to a news channel, she suspected the involvement of a third party in the tragic episode.

    “Amid the alleged involvement of his disciple to kill him either mentally or physically, I think there may be involvement of a third party who are vidharmis (heretics). I had spoken to Maharaj ji during the Kumbh.”

    “I told him ‘you bring ‘vidharmis’ to the centre of our faith and get them involved in rituals but they will not spare you when they get an opportunity’,” Thakur said.

    On asked who are the ‘vidharmis’ she was referring to, the Lok Sabha MP said those who speak against the country and religion, and try to link saffron and Hindutva with terror.

  • Ex-union minister Chinmayanand demands CBI inquiry into death of Mahant Narendra Giri

    By PTI

    SHAHJAHANPUR: Former Union minister Swami Chinmayanand on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad.

    Claiming that Mahant Giri could not commit suicide, Chinmayanad said the seer was in touch with the people belonging to a political party and they were very close to him.

    Chinmayanand, whose trust runs the Shahjahanpur law college where a woman had alleged sexual abuse, was arrested in 2019 under Section 376-C of the IPC, a charge short of rape.

    In March 2021, he was acquitted by a special court in the case.

    The former BJP leader said whatever happened to him also happened to defame the Yogi Adityanath government.

    “The death of Mahant Narendra Giri before the assembly elections in UP can be used against Adityanath as some political people want to defame him. They can use this incident as the failure of the government to protect the seer,” Chinmayanand told reporters here.

    Mahant Giri’s body was found hanging from the ceiling by his disciples on Monday, according to police.

    A purported suicide note of seven-eight pages was also found at the site in which the seer had written that he was mentally disturbed and was ending his life.

    The seer had written that he was upset with one of his disciples, the police said.

    ​(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation – 04424640050 (available 24×7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences’ helpline – 9152987821, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm).

  • Swami Anand Giri booked in Mahant Narendra Giri suicide case, brought to Prayagraj

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: Swami Anand Giri, whose name found a mention in the suicide note recovered from the room of late chief of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Mahant Narendra Giri, has been booked for abetment of suicide of the late seer at Georgetown police station in Praygraj, 

    Mahant  Narendra Giri, who was also the Mahant of Bade Hanuman Temple in Prayagraj, was found dead in mysterious circumstances and his body was spotted hanging by a rope from the ceiling by his disciples in his room at Baghambari Muth on Monday evening.

    CM Yogi Adityanath paid his last respects to the late Mahant at his Baghambari math ashram on Tuesday morning and assured the community of saints a thorough and fair probe into the death of the mahant.

    Calling it a major loss to the spiritual and religious sections of society, Adityanath said that the incident would be investigated and the culprits would be adequately punished as per the law.

    “No one will be spared but I will request all to allow the investigation agencies to do their work. No one should make an unnecessary statement over an unfortunate incident. A team of four senior police officials is working on the case and a team of five doctors would carry out a post-mortem examination on Wednesday,” said the CM.

    Meanwhile,  the police sources said that the First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against Swami Anand Giri under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code on late Monday night. In the column of accuse, only the name of Anand Giri is mentioned.

    ALSO READ | Shiv Sena demands CBI probe into death of Mahant Narendra Giri

    Anand Giri was detained by the Uttarakhand Police on Monday night and was brought to Prayagraj in the UP police custody on Tuesday afternoon.

    SP (city) Dinesh Kumar Singh said the case against Anand Giri was registered on the complaint of Baghambari Math ashram Sewadar Amar Giri Pawan Maharaj. As per the complaint, Mahant Giri was in stress and used to say that Anand Giri was harassing him, the SP added.

    As per the complaint lodged, Mahant Giri’s disciples — Sumit Tiwari and Sarvesh Dwivedi — went inside his room when his phone was found to be switched off in the evening. There, both the disciples found him hanging from the ceiling fan. They cut the rope and brought the body down but by that time the seer had already died. The disciples then informed the police, it said.

    So far, besides the arrest of three persons including Swami Anand Giri, priest of Bade Hanumanji temple Adhya Tiwari and his son Sandip Tiwari, six more persons have been detained by the Prayagraj police for investigation.

    Moreover, three other persons including Additional SP OP Pandey, BJP leader Sushil Mishra, and Samajwadi Party leader Induprakash Mishra, who was enjoying the status of a cabinet minister in the Akhilesh government, are also under scanner.

    The sources claimed that all three had played a role in striking a truce between Mahant Narendra Giri and his disciple Swami Anand Giri as they were engaged in a dispute over a piece of land.