The Allahabad High Court on Friday rejected bail plea of Anand Giri, the key accused in the death case of Mahant Narendra Giri of Baghambari Gaddi who committed suicide on September 20, 2021.

The bench of Justice Sanjay Singh today tabled the decision that was reserved on Wednesday. The plea has been dismissed on merits.

Moving the bail application, Anand Giri pleaded that he had been falsely implicated in the case and that the suicide note in which his name had appeared was suspicious. He also alleged that the said suicide note was not in the handwriting of deceased Mahant Narendra Giri and there were many cuttings in it.

The Mahant was found hanging from the ceiling of his room in a suspicious condition at Shri Baghambri Math in Prayagraj on September 20. Giri was called in after Mahant's death as in his suicide note, the Mahant had named Giri and two others for causing mental harassment to him.

Subsequently, an FIR was lodged against the three accused under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at Police Station Georgetown in Prayagraj. Later, on the recommendation of the State Government, the investigation of the case was transferred from UP police to the CBI on September 25.

After 60 days of investigation, the CBI submitted its charge sheet on November 20, 2021 accusing Anand Giri and two others of abetment to suicide and criminal conspiracy. 

As per CBI, Mahant Narendra Giri was under such "grave mental trauma" from his estranged disciple Anand Giri and two others that he ended his life to "avoid defamation and insult" in the eyes of society.

Anand Giri is in judicial custody since September 22, 2021. His one bail plea has already been rejected by a Special Court in Allahabad on November 11.

Case Title: Anand Giri @ Ashok Kumar Chotiya vs State of U.P. and Another