Swami Anand Giri, the disciple named in Mahant Narendra Giri's suicide note found in the room where the latter was found dead, has claimed innocence saying it's a big conspiracy.
Speaking to India TV, Anand Giri said that he (Mahant Narendra Giri) has not committed suicide because of him... there was a dispute with others over Muth's property.
"This is a conspiracy... which was being planned for over a year... first Guruji (Mahant) was distanced from me and today he has been murdered... and by putting my name in the suicide note clearly indicates that there is a big conspiracy behind this," Anand Giri said.
Continuing speaking, Anand Giri said that the people who misused Muth's money and constructed big houses were behind this conspiracy.
"I would like to appeal to the state government, investigating agencies to conduct a fair probe and if I am found guilty, I am ready to face action," Anand Giri added.
The disciple further mentioned that earlier there was some issue between him and Mahant Ji over the issue of selling of Muth's land but in the month of May, the issue was resolved. However, those who were not satisfied with the decision were trying to build the pressure on the Muth.
Anand Giri said that several other people are their who were pressurising to sell Muth's property and benefit from its money. He named a few including Manish Shukla, Abhishek Mishra among others.
However, Anand Giri has been detained for now from Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
Police has also detained Adya Tiwari, who is the chief priest of Hanuman Temple in Prayagraj and his son Sandeep Tiwari, as their names have also been mentioned in Mahant Narendra Giri's suicide note.
It is to be mentioned that Anand Giri, who once considered to be a close disciple of Narendra Giri, had differences with the Mahant over some property issues. The relation had detoriated upto an extreme that Mahant had ousted Anand Giri from the Muth.
Mahant Narendra Giri found dead under suspicious circumstances
Mahant Narendra Giri, the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad, was found dead under suspicious circumstances at Baghambari Muth, Prayagraj police said.
A purported suicide note was also found at the site in which the seer had written that he was mentally disturbed because of one of his disciples and was ending his life. He had also delegated various responsibilities to his disciples in the note, the police said.
Meanwhile, IGP KP Singh said that police had received a call at 5.30 PM from the Muth that Giri had hanged himself. Prima facie it appeared to be a case of suicide but things will be clearer after the post-mortem and forensic tests, the police said.
ALSO READ | Mahant Narendra Giri, Akhada Parishad head, found dead, suicide note recovered
Several political and religious leaders condoled the demise of Giri.
"The death of Mahant Narendra Giri ji, President of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, is an irreparable loss to the spiritual world. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed soul a place at his feet and strength to the bereaved followers to bear this sorrow. Om Shanti," Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tweeted.
Chief Minister Adityanath will also visit Prayagraj today (Tuesday) to pay his last respects to Mahant Giri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the death of Mahant Narendra Giri saying he played an important role in bringing together different streams of seer bodies while remaining dedicated to spiritual traditions. His demise is extremely painful, he tweeted.
ALSO READ | Mahant Narendra Giri's death: Police also probing foul play angle, say reports
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