Top sadhu body wants CBI to probe missing mahant case

Nashik: An apex body of ascetics, the Akhil Bharatiya Shaddarshan Akhara Parishad (ABSAP) has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the mysterious disappearance of its spokesperson, Mahant Mohandas. 

The mahant (religious superior) — who had received threats after the Parishad passed a resolution against fake godmen on September 10 — was reported missing between Haridwar and Meerut en route to Mumbai five days later, according to Binduji Maharaj, spokesperson of the ABSAP.

The ABSAP expressed apprehension about the fate of the spokesperson. The Akhil Bharatiya Shaddarshan Akhara Parishad (ABSAP), an apex body of ascetics, has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the mysterious disappearance of its spokesperson, Mahant Mohandas. 

The mahant (religious superior) — who had received threats after the Parishad passed a resolution against fake godmen on September 10 — was reported missing between Haridwar and Meerut en route to Mumbai five days later, according to Binduji Maharaj, spokesperson of the ABSAP.

The ABSAP expressed apprehension about the fate of the spokesperson, who was the mahant of Shri Panchayati Akhara Bada Udasin, at a meeting in Nashik.

A missing complaint has been registered in Haridwar. Akhara Parishad Mahamantri Mahant Harigiriji Maharaj told The Asian Age on Tuesday that a delegation including himself had met the Haridwar collector, superintendent of police and other officials and demanded action, and teams have been dispatched.

“However, 10 days on, the whereabouts of the mahant are unknown. We are worried. We have organised a meeting on October 2 and demanded a CBI inquiry,” he said.

Mahant Binduji Maharaj said Mahant Mohandas had filed a complaint with regard to the death threats in Haridwar but no action was taken.  

“Mahant Mohandas’s last location was traced to Meerut after which he could not be contacted. This kidnapping of a simple sadhu is an unfortunate incident and the Central and state government should investigate the persons behind it,” he said.

The 14 ‘fake babas’ named by the ABSAP were banned from entering the 2019 Ardh Kumbh at Allahabad. 

They are: Asaram alias Ashumal Shirmani, Sukhvinder Kaur alias Radhe Maa, Sachinand Giri alias Sachin Datta, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, Om Baba alias Vivekanand Zha, Nirmal Baba alias Nirmaljeetsingh, Icchadhari Bheemanand alias Shivmurty Divedi, Swami Aseemanand, Om Namo Shivai Baba, Narayan Sai, Rampal, Khushi Muni, Bruhaspati Giri and Malkan Giri.