Mahant Narendra Giri death: Disciple Anand Giri charged with abetting suicide

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said several pieces of evidence had been collected in the Mahant Narendra Giri death case. Police have also filed an FIR (First Information Report) against Anand Giri, a close disciple of Mahant Narendra Giri, after he was named in an alleged suicide note left behind by the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad president. Anand Giri, who has been charged under section 306 (abetment of suicide) of Indian Penal Code, was arrested after police traced him to Haridwar, Uttarakhand on Monday evening.

Adya Tiwari, the priest of Hanuman temple, and his son Sandeep Tiwari, whose names also were mentioned in the alleged suicide note, have also been detained for questioning.

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Mahant Narendra Giri was found hanging from the ceiling of his room at the Baghambari Muth in Prayagraj on Monday, police said. Inspector General of Police K P Singh told reporters that, prima facie, Mahant Narendra Giri’s death appeared to be a case of suicide.

Mahant Narendra Giri had written that he was ending his life as he was mentally disturbed, the police said, adding the top seer had also delegated various responsibilities to his disciples.

Mahant Narendra Giri had been hospitalised in April after he tested positive for coronavirus.  

Adityanath, who paid his last respects to Mahant Narendra Giri, said the top seer’s postmortem will be conducted on Wednesday and culprits, if any, will not be spared.

Anand Giri was considered to be very close to Mahant Narendra Giri, having been initiated into Sanyaas Dharma under the seer’s guidance.

However, the two fell out after Mahant Narendra Giri accused Anand Giri of violating sanyasi traditions by being in constant touch with his family. In May, Anand Giri was expelled from Baghambari Math and the akhara by the Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani.

Mahant Narendra Giri had said the step was taken after Anand Giri was found to be breaking sanyasi traditions even after several warnings. Anand Giri was also accused of fraud and financial mismanagement. 

Anand Giri, who hails from Bhilwara district in Rajasthan, became Mahant Narendra Giri’s disciple around 18 years ago. Anand Giri’s website says that he is “well versed in Sanskrit Grammar, Ayurveda & Vedic Philosophies.”