Who is Anand Giri, disciple named in Mahant Narendra Giri’s alleged suicide note

Anand Giri, a disciple of Mahant Narendra Giri, was detained for questioning after the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president was found dead on Monday at the Baghambari Muth in Uttar Pradesh‘s Prayagraj. Anand Giri was named alongside two others in a purported suicide note left behind by Mahant Narendra Giri, according to police. The body of the top seer was found hanging from the ceiling by his disciples, Inspector General of Police K P Singh said. Singh said, prima facie, Mahant Narendra Giri’s death appeared to be a case of suicide, and post-mortem and forensic tests will help police reach a more conclusive result.

ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar told news agency ANI that Anand Giri was detained from Haridwar for questioning with the help of Uttarakhand Police.

Anand Giri has refuted all charges against him and alleged that those who had created a rift between him and Mahant Narendra Giri were behind the seer’s death.

Who is Anand Giri?

Anand Giri ‘s website describes him as a “friend, philosopher and guide”, who has been “dedicated in the service of Bade Hanuman Jee Temple” in Pragyaraj.

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Anand Giri was initiated into Sanyaas Dharma under the guidance of  Mahant Narendra Giri and is “well versed in Sanskrit Grammar, Ayurveda & Vedic Philosophies,” the website says.

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In May, the Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani expelled Anand Giri from Baghambari Math and the akhara for being in constant touch with his family against sanyasi traditions. This was after Mahant Narendra Giri lodged a complaint against Anand Giri. He was also accused of financial irregularities.

Mahant Narendra Giri had said that Anand Giri was found to be “breaking the rule even after several warnings and was thus first removed from Baghambari Math and then expelled from the akhara.”

Although Mahant Narendra Giri’s followers fondly called Anand Giri as ‘Chhote Mahant’, differences had started emerging between the two for some time, according to a Times of India report. Anand Giri, who hails from Bhilwara district in Rajasthan, became Mahant Narendra Giri’s disciple when the two met around 18 years ago.

Anand Giri’s fluency in English helped him gain influence with devotees from several foreign countries.