CBI takes over probe into Mahant's alleged suicide

The CBI has taken over the investigation into the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, who allegedly committed suicide under suspicious circumstances.

Lucknow: A five-member CBI team has reached Prayagraj in connection with the suspicious death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri. The process of handing over the case to the CBI started Thursday and the central agency Friday fully took over the investigation of the high-profile case

On the instructions of the Yogi Adityanath government, the state home department had recommended a CBI inquiry to the central government to investigate the matter. According to sources, the CBI team reached Prayagraj Thursday afternoon. There are five members in this team. Before taking over the case, the team had took information about the case. Along with the CBI, an SIT team and the top officials of Prayagraj police were also present at Police Line. The CBI started the process of investigation by taking a copy of the FIR.

Mahant Narendra Giri, president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, committed suicide September 20 under suspicious circumstances. A multi-page suicide note was recovered from his room, in which three names were mentioned who allegedly forced him to commit suicide. They are Swami Anand Giri, a disciple of Mahant Narendra Giri, Aadya Tiwari, the chief priest of Lete Hanuman temple, and Sandeep Tiwari, son of Aadya Tiwari.

Apart from Aadya Tiwari, the police had apprehended Anand Giri from Haridwar. Since then the police were looking for Aadya Tiwari's son Sandeep Tiwari, who was finally arrested Wednesday by the SIT formed by the DIG. In the evening, police presented Anand Giri and Aadya Tiwari in court, from where they both were sent to 14-day judicial custody.

It may be mentioned that the Mahant's followers are constantly denying that he has committed suicide. The joint secretary of Allahabad High Court Bar Association had also filed a petition for CBI investigation into the suspicious death of Narendra Giri. Several political parties, including the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, had also demanded a CBI inquiry. After getting approval from the Centre, the CBI took over the investigation Friday.