The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted bail to Aadya Prasad Tiwari, one of the accused in the high-profile 2021 death of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad president Mahant Narendra Giri, observing that the trial in the case is unlikely to conclude in the near future and that continued incarceration was not justified.

A bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Satish Chandra Sharma set aside an October 14, 2025 order of the Allahabad High Court, which had earlier refused bail to Tiwari. The apex court noted that Tiwari had already spent more than four years in custody and that the pace of the trial did not warrant his further detention.

Mahant Narendra Giri, one of the most influential seers in the country and head of the largest organisation of Hindu ascetics, was found hanging at the Baghambari Mutt in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) on September 20, 2021. His death had sent shockwaves across religious and political circles and led to a high-profile investigation that was later taken over by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Supreme Court’s Observations

While granting bail, the Supreme Court placed significant emphasis on the delay in the trial process. The bench pointed out that although the CBI had proposed to examine as many as 150 witnesses, only three had been examined so far.

“It is, therefore, clear that the trial is likely to take time to conclude,” the bench observed. It added that Aadya Prasad Tiwari did not appear to be the principal accused in the case and that, in such circumstances, his continued detention pending trial was not necessary.

“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,” the court said in its order.

Accordingly, the bench allowed the appeal and directed that Tiwari be released on bail, setting aside the Allahabad High Court’s earlier decision.

Custody Since 2021

The Supreme Court also took note of the fact that Aadya Prasad Tiwari had been in judicial custody since September 22, 2021, just two days after Mahant Narendra Giri was found dead. The bench observed that prolonged incarceration without substantial progress in the trial would be unjustified, particularly when the accused was not alleged to be the main conspirator.

However, the court made it clear that the relief was conditional. It warned Tiwari against attempting to influence the trial in any manner.

The bench specifically directed that the accused should not make any inducement, threat, or promise to any witness connected with the case. It also ordered him to attend all trial proceedings diligently unless specifically exempted by the trial court.

The Supreme Court granted liberty to the trial court to cancel the bail if any of these conditions are violated.

Background of the Case

An FIR in the case was registered on September 21, 2021, at the George Town Police Station in Prayagraj district, a day after Mahant Narendra Giri’s body was found. Given the sensitive nature of the case and its national attention, the investigation was later handed over to the CBI.

Initially, Aadya Prasad Tiwari was arrested under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (abetment to suicide). However, the chargesheet filed by the CBI on November 18, 2021, went a step further, invoking charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.

According to the CBI’s chargesheet, Mahant Narendra Giri was under “grave mental trauma” allegedly caused by his estranged disciple Anand Giri, priest Aadya Prasad Tiwari, and Tiwari’s son Sandeep Tiwari. The agency claimed that this mental pressure drove the seer to take his own life in order to avoid “defamation and insult” in the eyes of society.

Alleged Blackmail and Video Evidence

During the investigation, the CBI recovered a video purportedly recorded by Mahant Narendra Giri before his death. In the video, the Mahant allegedly claimed that Anand Giri was planning to release an “edited video” showing him in an objectionable position with a woman, which would damage his reputation and standing in society.

The chargesheet alleged that this threat of defamation was a key factor behind the mental distress that led to his death. On this basis, the CBI accused Anand Giri, priest of the Bade Hanuman Mandir in Allahabad, Aadya Prasad Tiwari, and Sandeep Tiwari of abetment to suicide and criminal conspiracy.

What Lies Ahead

While the Supreme Court’s order provides temporary relief to Aadya Prasad Tiwari, the trial in the Mahant Narendra Giri death case is far from over. The apex court’s observations underline broader concerns about prolonged trials and undertrial detention, especially in complex cases involving a large number of witnesses.

The focus will now shift back to the trial court, which has been urged to proceed with the case while ensuring strict compliance with the bail conditions laid down by the Supreme Court. The outcome of the trial is expected to remain under close public scrutiny, given the stature of the deceased and the serious allegations involved.