Gasota Mahadev temple issue becomes slugfest

Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, June 7

The release of CDs by Gasota Mahadev temple’s priest Mahant Vivek Giri, allegations against him by some villagers and counter allegations that some people were blackmailing him, have turned the entire episode into mudslinging.

The complaint given by few villagers alleging the temple priest Vivek Giri of misappropriating funds was still under investigation and the police were yet to verify the contents of the complaint made by the Mahant that a senior police officer and two of his accomplices were demanding money to hush up the case against him.

It was pertinent to mention here that ASP Shamsher Singh had visited the temple on receiving a complaint from some villagers and recorded the statement of a female disciple of the Mahant. It was learnt that the matter ended with the statement of the woman that she did not want any police action against the mahant, though he misbehaved with her. Mahant alleged that since then he was receiving calls from the police officer and two others, including BJP block spokesperson Rakesh Pathania and an employee of Himachal Pradesh University Deshraj Pathania, demanding money. But he did not appear before the police with records to verify his statement.

Meanwhile, over four audio recordings were uploaded on Youtube and CD copies of the same were distributed in media. At the same time, two delegations met the Superintendent of Police alleging Mahant of misappropriating funds of the temple. A member of the delegation later formed a committee to govern the affairs of the temple, without waiting for the mahant to return.

Residents of over 15 villages around the temple objected the formation of a new committee and alleged that members of the newcommittee were trying to grab the temple funds. They alleged that since the Mahant had placed them at an arm’s length, they had started defaming the Mahant.

Meanwhile, the Mahant is absconding from the temple and the police have not been able to pursue the matter further. It was also learnt that the police officer had also gone on leave for some time. SP Ajay Bodh said he had received the complaint alleging police officer and two persons for demanding money from the mahant. The police was waiting for the Mahant to come and submit the evidences, he added.