Premanand Maharaj ashram controversy: The controversy over Vrindavan’s famous saint Premanand Maharaj and his ashram ‘Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj’ is now gaining momentum. On one hand, the problems of the Ashram have increased due to the mysterious death of a young seeker and the claims of disappearance of several minor children, while on the other hand, fear has been raised on the life of Premanand Maharaj himself. Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Sangharsh Trust President Dinesh Sharma has written a letter to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding immediate security of Sant Premanand Maharaj.
Dinesh Sharma has alleged that two groups have formed in the ashram and some anti-social and mafia elements who have entered inside can harm Maharaj ji. As soon as this letter came out, the stir in religious and political circles has intensified.
‘Mafia has captured the ashram, Maharaj ji may be in danger’. Premanand Maharaj ashram controversy
In a letter sent to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Dinesh Sharma claimed that now two separate factions of real and fake saints have been formed in the circle of Premanand Maharaj. He said that the real saints are doing bhajan, sadhana and penance along with Maharaj ji in solitude on the banks of Yamuna, about 20 kilometers away from the ashram. In the other group, suspicious elements like land mafia and child mafia have become active, who have taken control of about 15 small and big ashrams associated with the ashram.
Sharma alleged that this mafia gang has accumulated huge wealth by selling Yamuna Khadar lands. He expressed apprehension that these same mafia elements might do some untoward incident to Premanand Maharaj. Describing Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as the protector of saints, he said that Maharaj ji has connected crores of people with religion and good path, hence their safety is very important in the interest of the country. He also alleged that the same group could be behind hooliganism in the ashram premises and criminal incidents involving sadhus.
Controversy started due to the death of 25 year old seeker
The main crux of the controversy is a heart-wrenching incident that took place on 25 September 2026. Deepak Lodhi (initiate name: Rasik Dulari Sharan), a 25-year-old initiate associated with Premanand Maharaj, died after falling from the fourth floor under suspicious circumstances. Police and forensic team collected evidence from the spot, but after the post mortem report came out, the matter became more complicated.
The report revealed that apart from serious injuries on the head and body, injuries and cut marks were found on the genitals. After this revelation, family members and saints intensified their demand for an impartial and high-level investigation into the matter. Police are currently investigating the exact cause of death from all angles.
Ashram’s official statement after 8 days
After the controversy escalated, ‘Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Trust’ broke its silence and issued an official statement. The Trust said that Pujya Maharaj Shri and the entire Ashram family are extremely saddened and hurt by this painful incident. The Trust expressed deep condolences to the family of the deceased seeker and made it clear that full cooperation is being given to the police investigation.
The Ashram also appealed to the devotees and the general public not to pay heed to any kind of rumour, speculation or misleading news until the investigation is completed. Earlier, a letter was also issued on behalf of Braj Sant Mahima accusing some content creators and news channels of fabricating false stories for TRP.
Case of missing children and complaint in Child Protection Commission
Meanwhile, the demonstrations of family members outside the ashram also attracted everyone’s attention. The family members of 16-year-old teenager Anuj, resident of Sadabad, Hathras, who was missing after taking initiation, had staged a protest outside the ashram. However, it is a matter of relief that Barsana Police showed promptness and recovered Anuj safely from Ladli Das Ashram located on Radha Bagh Road and handed him over to his family members. At the same time, a 35-year-old woman from Noida has also been reported missing since August 15, whose family members are searching for her in the ashram.
Here, Dinesh Falahari Maharaj has opened a new front by writing a letter to the Chairman of Uttar Pradesh Child Protection Commission. He alleged that in the name of spirituality, many minors leave their homes and stay in ashrams and their parents keep wandering from place to place. He raised the question that if any untoward incident happens to a minor inside the ashram, who will be directly responsible for it? He has demanded a high level investigation into this entire matter.
Support of narrator Anirudh Acharya
Amidst the growing controversies, well-known storyteller Anirudh Acharya has openly come in support of Premanand Maharaj. During his story, he took on those spreading sensationalism on social media. He said that some people, just to get views and TRP, start giving decisions by posing as judges without knowing the facts. Anirudh Acharya stressed that Premanand Maharaj has shown the right path to lakhs of misguided youth, hence people should understand the truth before pointing fingers at him.