Govt takes over Dhirendra’s 24-acre ashram in Gurugram

The BJP government has finally taken over the Aparna Ashram, founded by the controversial late 'godman' and yoga guru, Dhirendra Brahmachari, on a prime 24-acre property in Gurugram.

The notification of the Aparna Institution (Taking Over of Management and Control) Act, 2025, was issued by Ritu Garg, Administrative Secretary to the Law and Legislative Department, Haryana Government.

After the Bill was passed by the state Assembly amid opposition by the Congress in the Budget Session in March, the Governor reserved it for the President’s consideration under Article 201 of the Constitution, as the matter pertained to the Concurrent List.

The notification will pave the way for the institution's management by the state government for a limited period (initially 10 years) in public interest.

Under the Act, an administrator is sought to be appointed to manage the ashram on behalf of the government.

The government justified its takeover by citing attempts by disputing groups to sell the ashram land for personal gains. Brahmachari purchased about 24 acres in Silokhra village of Gurugram with the help of donations, grants and financial assistance from the Centre. After his death in a plane crash in 1994, the society running the ashram was divided into two groups, sparking off a legal dispute.

A controversy broke out in 2020 when a sale deed for the land was registered for a mere Rs 55 crore. After objections to the deal, an inquiry was ordered by the state government. “On the basis of a memorandum of understanding for reaching at an agreed price, it is beyond doubt that the agreed price of the land of Aparna Ashram was Rs 12 crore per acre, which worked out to be Rs 288 crore for 24 acres. The sale deed of Rs 55 crore is grossly undervalued,” stated a 2021 communication by the Revenue Department to the Gurugram DC.

Subsequently, the sale deed was cancelled by the DC. The cancellation order was challenged before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, but the parties got no relief.

'The Flying Swami'

The controversial 'godman', Dhirendra Brahmachari—popularly known as 'the Flying Swami'—was the yoga instructor of the late PM Indira Gandhi. He reportedly wielded influence in decision-making in the then Congress government and acquired huge chucks of prime land through government patronage at several places, including Gurugram and Jammu, for opening yoga centres. He was accused of smuggling an aircraft from the US during the Emergency without paying customs duty. He died in a plane crash in 1994.