Bhaiyyu Maharaj suicide: Congress seeks CBI probe after spiritual leader shoots himself

The Madhya Pradesh Congress unit on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of spiritual guru Bhaiyyu Maharaj, claiming that he was under pressure to work for the BJP government in the state.

File photo of self-styled spiritual leader Bhaiyyu Maharaj who allegedly committed suicide on Tuesday, June 12, 2018, in Indore by shooting himself. (PTI Photo)

INDORE: The Madhya Pradesh Congress unit on Tuesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged suicide of spiritual guru Bhaiyyu Maharaj, claiming that he was under pressure to work for the BJP government in the state. "Bhayyuji Maharaj had refused to accept ministerial rank granted by the Madhya Pradesh government. I had spoken to him some days back and Bhayyuji Maharaj had told me that he was under pressure from the BJP government to work for them," State Congress media department chief Manak Agarwal said. The Congress leader demanded a probe by the CBI into the spiritual guru's death. "The spiritual guru was under a lot of mental pressure. A CBI probe should be conducted to clear all doubts related to his extreme step," Agarwal said. Bhayyuji Maharaj, an Indore based self-proclaimed spiritual guru, has allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself at his residence in Madhya Pradesh's Indore. He reportedly shot himself on his right temple in a room locked from inside. The 50-year-old guru, who was recently given the status of a Minister of State by the government in a controversial decision which he had declined, died after he was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and many other leaders from the state expressed grief over the death and offered their condolences. He came into limelight in 2011 when the then central government sent him as a mediator to persuade Anna Hazare to call off his fast at the Ramlila ground. Bhaiyyuji Maharaj has surprised his followers when tied the knot with Dr Ayushi Sharma, a native of Shivpuri, in April 2017, a year after he had announced his intention to take 'sanyas' from public life. His first wife, Madhavi, had passed away in November 2015. He was also caught in a controversy on his wedding day after an actress accused him of 'cheating' on her. She had alleged that Bhaiyyuji calls her up from different numbers to disturb her. (With inputs from agencies)