Faridabad Godman another in the line of legal process

Sanjay Chaturvedi

First it was Asaram, then came Mahipal followed by Radheyma. All under the legal process. In between others also were accused and are still to be behind the bars in the absence of sufficient evidence. The country has witnessed cases of Godman whom people worship as a god, later found involved in financial and sexual offences.  In the recent years a number of self styled Godman (baba) have faced the legal procedures affecting the mirage of their image they have been prevailing with among their followers. In this sequence the next may be the one Godman having thousands of crores in terms of deposits and property under him. In the month of July 2015 the family dispute over the property the Trust, that holds the Siddhdata Ashram in the Aravali range of Faridabad, unfolded the hidden malpractices being followed by the Godman. His younger brother and mother lodged a protest against the Godman that followed a physical violence by the followers of both the sides. Leading to this revolt by his younger brother and mother, the Godman Prahlad Sharma better known as Purushottamacharya, by passing an order on August 18 2015, terminated the younger brother Mahendra Sharma known as Madhusudan Acharya from the membership of the managing trust accusing him of acting immoral.

Mahendra Sharma alias Madhusudanacharya challenged the order of termination in the Faridabad court. In his plea Mahendra Sharma stated that the elder brother Prahlad has been heading the trust for the last 15 years after their father passed away. The father of both the parties to the dispute was actually the person who established the ashram and the Janhit Sewa Trust to take care of the activities of the Ashram. The petitioner claimed that the Godman has siphoned off the funds from the trust funds. He accused him of lavish spending in his daughter’s marriage that included gift of a luxurious car that ranks among one of the costliest one in the world. All the functions during the marriage were performed in a five star hotel, alleged the petitioner Mahendra Sharma.  The Godman was accused of siphoning off Rs.50 crores from the trust in the case.  The Godman Prahlad Sharma was also accused of involved in immoral activities by the younger brother filing the petition. Mother Asharfi Devi and Mahendra Sharma, both petitioners also expressed risk to their lives. Both the petitioners have earlier filed legal cases with the concerned police station in the month of July 2015.

Hearing the contention of both the parties, Additional District Judge I.S.Rathore stayed the August 18 order of the trust by which the membership of the petitioner was terminated. The case has been put for next hearing on November 7.  Would the case be exposing another baba after Asaram and Radheyma, is yet to be seen.

However, on the front of the followers of both the factions of the brothers, it is quiet surprising that even after knowing that they are involved in the property dispute and everything that glitter is not white in this case, the sentimental bonding people have with them is not shivered even for a day. That’s the irony of faith the people of our country are possessed with.