Police probe theft attempt at Anand Giri’s Haridwar ashram
HARIDWAR: While Anand Giri disciple of former Akhada Parishad president Narendra Giri is in CBI custody, a theft attempt of CCTV Digital Video Recorder at his Haridwar-based ashram on Monday has raised eyebrows. Police are now probing why the theft attempt was made and at whose behest?
The attempt was made at a time when Anand ashram was sealed by the local administration on September 22 for being constructed illegally by Anand Giri.
Police have arrested V Rahul, caught by ashramites, while attempting to steal CCTV DVR, a juicer and a water pump motor on Wednesday from Anand ashram at Gaziwali, Shyampur 10 km from Haridwar city.
This has led to questions whether the CCTV footage has in it something important related to the death of Narendra Giri, on whose directive the theft attempt was made and also why along with Digital Video Recorder the nabbed person was taking juicer and water pump motor along with him.
According to police officials, a case has been registered against the accused for theft and trespassing on the complaint of ashram caretaker Ratnesh Tiwari. A villager once close to ashramites on condition of anonymity said Anand Giri’s ashram was almost like a palatial apartment having all the latest facilities.
He said as at this ashram many noted persons, traders, property dealers, and followers of Anand Giri used to arrive. Maybe someone wanted to destroy the CCTV footage.
On the Haridwar-Roorkee
Development Authority sealing the Anand Giri ashram, Niranjani Akhada seers refrained to comment but added that saints need to live a low profile, an ascetic lifestyle rather than opt for pomp and show.
Vice-chairman of HaridwarRoorkee Development Authority Vinay Shankar Pandey on last Wednesday served notice to Anand Giri for breaking the seal of the ashram, which was sealed by the HRDA team on May 13, 2021 in view of ashram building construction being illegal and unauthorised.
Deputy Superintendent of Police in Shyampur Asmita Mamgain said an arrest has been made in connection with the theft attempt at Anand ashram and police are investigating the matter.
“After further interrogation and probe, we can say anything further in this case,” said Mamgain.
THE ATTEMPT WAS MADE AT A TIME WHEN ASHRAM WAS SEALED BY THE LOCAL ADMINISTRATION FOR BEING CONSTRUCTED ILLEGALLY BY ANAND GIRI