A day after Narendra Giri, the head of a top religious body – Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad – allegedly died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, three of his close aides have been detained for questioning, including one of his top disciples. Mahant Narendra Giri, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, was found dead on Monday at Baghambari Muth. The Parishad is the largest organisation of sadhus in India.
Giri was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Baghambari Math located residence on Monday. A suicide note was recovered in which the name of his disciples, Anand Giri and two others were mentioned. One of the detained men, Anand Giri, was Narendra Giri’s protege and closest aide until they fell out in May. Anand Giri was allegedly thrown out of the priest’s group over allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement. There was an apparent patch-up a few days later, with a video showing Anand Giri seeking forgiveness at the feet of his mentor, but the police suspect it was short-lived. Anand Giri has been arrested from Haridwar with the help of Uttarakhand Police and further probe is underway. The two others who are being questioned are Sandeep Tiwari and Aadya Tiwari, who stayed with Narendra Giri.
According to the police, Narendra Giri’s students found his body and the eight-page suicide note mentions the name of his disciple Anand Giri, who has now been arrested. The suicide note also mentions Adya Tiwari and Sandeep Tiwari. Adya Tiwari is a senior priest of the Hanuman ji Temple and Sandeep Tiwari is his son. Anand Giri was taken into custody by Uttar Pradesh police from Haridwar after his name came up in the suicide note.
