MP spiritual guru commits suicide

Anup Dutta

Bhopal, June 12

Model-turned-spiritual leader  Uday Singh Deshmukh, alias Bhaiyyuji Maharaj, 50, allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself at his residence at Indore’s Silver Springs on Tuesday. He was rushed to Indore’s Bombay Hospital, where he was declared dead, DGP Harinarayanchari Mishra said. 

Another top police officer said: “He shot himself in the right temple in a room bolted from inside.” The Indore police said a notepad was found on which he had purportedly written: “Somebody should be there to handle duties of family. I am leaving, too much stressed out, fed up.” Investigations are on to ascertain what propelled him to take the extreme step. 

The spiritual guru is survived by a 15-year-old daughter from first wife Madhavi, who passed away in November 2015, and his second wife Dr Ayushi Sharma.

 Born into a zamindar family in MP’s Shujalpur district, Bhaiyyuji Maharaj was known for his association with political leaders. He was among the five ‘saints’ offered Minister of State status by the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government, which he declined.

Known for his spiritual discourses and social work, he had links not only with influential politicians but also businessmen across Madhya Pradesh and neighbouring Maharashtra and Gujarat. Among his prominent followers were former President Pratibha Patil, MP Governor Anandiben Patel, former Union Minister MM Joshi, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, Sushil Kumar Shinde and the late Gopinath Munde.

Bhaiyyuji Maharaj had played a mediator during the 2011 anti-corruption campaign led by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal.  Paying tributes, CM Chouhan tweeted, “The country has lost a person who was a confluence of culture, knowledge and service.”

Cong seeks CBI probe

The Madhya Pradesh Congress has demanded a CBI inquiry into the death of the spiritual guru. State Congress leader Manak Agarwal said: “Bhaiyyuji Maharaj had refused to accept ministerial rank. I had spoken to him some days ago. He told me he was under pressure from the BJP government to work for them. A CBI probe should be conducted to clear all doubts.”