Mahant’s car accident in July under CBI scanner now

PRAYAGRAJ : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is probing the death of Akhil Bhartiya Akhada Parishad (ABAP) chief Mahant Narendra Giri, is now collecting information about the road mishap in Pratapgarh in which Giri had escaped unhurt in July this year, said an official in the know of the development.

The Mahant’s body was found hanging in his room at the Baghambari Gaddi Math in Prayagraj on September 20. The CBI team will question his car driver along with the technical team of police that had examined his vehicle after the mishap to establish if the incident was a mishap or was a conspiracy to kill the Mahant.

As per the official, while questioning Math occupants the CBI team learnt that Mahant Narendra Giri and Juna Akhada patron Hari Giri were going to Lucknow in separate cars to meet chief minister Yogi Adityanath on July 8. Near Ahmamau village in Pratapgarh, a two wheeler came in front of the Mahant’s car following which his driver applied brakes suddenly. The car behind his vehicle rammed into the Mahant’s car. The collision caused damage to the vehicle but no one was injured in the mishap.

Meanwhile during nine days of its investigation, the CBI team has not only questioned Anand Giri, priest Aadya Tiwari and his son Sandeep but has also recovered Anand Giri’s mobile and laptop from Haridwar. On Sunday, the CBI team continued questioning Anand Giri, former priest of Bade Hanuman Temple Aadya Tiwari and his son Sandeep at the Police Lines.

CBI officials have prepared a list of people with whom Mahant Narendra Giri and Anand Giri were in regular contact and with whom they had spoken to within 48 hours of the Mahant’s death.

After being summoned, many figuring in the list came for recording their statements. Those in the list include many big businessmen, builders, contractors, politicians and seers.