Allahabad: The Uttar Pradesh Police has arrested a third person in connection with the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) President, officials said.
Inspector Mahesh Singh, in-charge of the George Town police station, confirmed the arrest of Sandeep Tiwari. However, he declined to comment on the time and place of the arrest.
The seer, who was the president of the largest organisation of sadhus in India, was found hanging by his disciples at the Baghambari Mutt in Allahabad on Monday.
Also Read: Top Seer Mahant Narendra Giri Found Dead at Allahabad Muth
Earlier on Wednesday, the seer’s two disciples, Anand Giri and Aadhya Prasad Tiwari, were produced in a local court, which sent them to a 14-day judicial custody.
Anand Giri was charged with abetting the seer’s death by suicide.
The Uttar Pradesh Police had constituted an 18-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the death of the seer.
Earlier, a purported note was found, in which the seer wrote that Anand Giri was trying to blackmail him using a morphed picture of a woman.
The seer purportedly wrote that he would rather die with dignity than face this false accusation.
If you know someone – friend or family member – at risk of suicide, please reach out to them. The Suicide Prevention India Foundation maintains a list of telephone numbers they can call to speak in confidence. Icall, a counselling service run by TISS, has maintained a crowdsourced list of therapists across the country. You could also take them to the nearest hospital.