By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court has refused to grant bail to Adya Prasad Tiwari, the head priest of Prayagraj’s Bade Hanuman Ji temple, in the high-profile Mahant Narendra Giri suicide case.
The court, however, instructed authorities to examine whether Tiwari qualifies for release under the statutory maximum detention period applicable to undertrial prisoners.
Bail Denied, But Review Ordered
Justice Ashutosh Srivastava, while dismissing Tiwari’s plea, directed the Undertrial Review Committee (UTRC) to evaluate his continued incarceration under Section 479 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which limits how long an undertrial can be kept in jail without conclusion of trial.
The committee must submit its recommendation within two months of receiving the order.
The High Court has also instructed the Registrar (Compliance) to immediately notify the UTRC and all concerned members about the directive.
Applicant in Jail Since 2021
Tiwari, arrested on September 22, 2021, has been behind bars for over three years. His bail plea had earlier been rejected by a Sessions Court in January 2022.
He is accused of abetment to suicide (Section 306 IPC) and criminal conspiracy (Section 120B IPC) in connection with the death of Mahant Narendra Giri, then president of the Akhil Bhartiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP).
Defense Argues Period of Detention
Tiwari’s counsel argued that he has already served more than one-third of the maximum sentence prescribed for the offence — a threshold that, under BNSS provisions, entitles an undertrial to release on bond. Section 306 carries a maximum punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Prosecution Opposes Bail
The prosecution countered that the accused himself attempted to delay trial proceedings through unnecessary application, and, therefore, should not benefit from bail provisions.
Background: A Case That Shocked the Sant Community
Mahant Narendra Giri was found hanging in his Prayagraj ashram on September 20, 2021. A detailed suicide note blamed his disciple Anand Giri, along with Adya Prasad Tiwari and Sandeep Tiwari, alleging mental harassment and a conspiracy to defame him.
Police immediately booked all three under Sections 306 and 120B.
The investigation was soon transferred to the CBI, which filed a chargesheet after 60 days, stating that the Mahant was driven to suicide due to “grave mental trauma and fear of public humiliation.”
All three accused remain incarcerated. Charges were formally framed by the Sessions Court on March 31, 2023, clearing the way for trial.
Next Steps
Although bail has been denied at this stage, the High Court’s direction to the UTRC opens a possible route to relief for Tiwari as the prolonged trial continues.
#AllahabadHighCourt #NarendraGiriCase #AdyaPrasadTiwari #AnandGiri #Prayagraj #CBIInvestigation #BNSS #UndertrialRights #AkharaParishad #JudicialUpdate #LegalNews #IndiaJusticeSystem