[Mahant Narendra Giri Death] Supreme Court grants bail to accused

The Supreme Court has granted bail to Aadya Prasad Tiwari, an accused in the case concerning death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and SC Sharma has allowed the plea filed against Allahabad High Court's judgment and order dated 14th October, 2025, whereby it had rejected the appellant’s prayer for bail.

Tiwari figured as an accused in FIR No.322 of 2021 dated 21st September, 2021 registered at Police Station George Town, District Prayagraj under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, was arrested on 22nd September, 2021. However, the police report (charge-sheet) was filed also under Sections 120-B and 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.

"Charge-sheet was filed on 18th November, 2021. The prosecution proposes to record the evidence of 150 witnesses to drive home the charges against the appellant. As on date, only 3 witnesses have been examined. It is, therefore, clear that the trial is likely to take time to conclude. Even otherwise, the appellant does not appear to be the principal accused. In view thereof, we are of the considered opinion that further detention of the appellant pending trial is not necessary....Appellant shall be released on bail, subject to furnishing of bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court and subject to such other terms and conditions as may be imposed by it...", the order states.

Supreme Court has added that Tiwari shall not, directly or indirectly, by making inducement, threat or promise, dissuade any person acquainted with the facts of the case from disclosing such facts to the court. "In the event there is any breach of the terms and conditions for grant of bail, the trial court shall be at liberty to cancel the bail of the appellant. It is also ordered that the appellant shall diligently attend proceedings of the trial, unless exempted. If he abstains from attending the proceedings without justifiable cause, that could also be seen as breach of the conditions for grant of bail and the trial court will be free to pass appropriate orders...", the order states further.

The Mahant was found hanging from the ceiling of his room in a suspicious condition at Shri Baghambri Math in Prayagraj on September 20. The Mahant had named Anand 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.

Case Title: AADYA PRASAD TIWARI vs. STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR.