Mahant Giri's Death: UP Police arrest three, including two disciples

Prayagraj (UP): A day after the mysterious death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad chief Mahant Narendra Giri, Uttar Pradesh police has arrested Anand Giri, who was Narendra Giri's protege and closest aide until they fell out in May

The police have filed an FIR (First Information Report) against Anand Giri who was caught from Uttarakhand on Monday evening. Anand Giri, who has been accused of harassing the seer, was allegedly expelled by the seer 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, reports NDTV.

The police have also detained two other disciples, Sandeep Tiwari and Aadya Tiwari, who stayed with Narendra Giri. According to the police, Narendra Giri's students found his body.

On Monday afternoon, when he did not come out of his home for his traditional public meeting, his students knocked and found the door bolted from inside. When they broke in, they found him dead, NDTV reports quoting police

The police said a suicide note had been found near the body and it mentioned Anand Giri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief at his death. "The death of Akhara Parishad president Shri Narendra Giri Ji is extremely sad. While devoted to spiritual traditions, he played a big role in connecting many streams of Sant Samaj. May the Lord give him a place at your feet. Om Shanti," PM Modi tweeted.

"The death of the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, Mahant Narendra Giri, is an irreparable loss for the spiritual world. I pray to Lord Ram to provide his spirit with a place at his feet and give strength to his followers to bear this pain," tweeted Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

The Chief Minister also said that "several pieces of evidence" had been collected and the "culprit will not be spared".

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has demanded to have a probe by a sitting judge of the high court on the issue. Akhilesh reached Prayagraj on Tuesday to pay his respects to the departed saint, who allegedly died by suicide on Monday evening.

"If the truth has to come out, then a probe should be ordered by a sitting high court judge," he was quoted as saying

Meanwhile, the autopsy of the Mahant will now be held on Wednesday, instead of Tuesday afternoon.