Premanand Maharaj Ashram Controversy: Disciple Death & Missing Cases

The Vrindavan ashram associated with spiritual leader Premanand Maharaj has come under increased public and media scrutiny following a series of developments involving a disciple's death and separate missing-person cases.

The latest controversy follows the death of 25-year-old Deepak Lodhi, also known as Rasik Dulari Sharan, who died after falling from the fourth floor of a building associated with disciples in Vrindavan on September 25.

While police have been investigating the circumstances of his death, fresh CCTV footage has emerged showing the moments before the fatal fall. At the same time, families of two other devotees have approached the ashram seeking information about their missing relatives.

Importantly, the available reports do not establish that the ashram was responsible for any of these incidents. Investigations and family allegations remain separate from proven findings.

Deepak Lodhi’s Death Remains Under Investigation

Deepak Lodhi, who was known within the spiritual community as Rasik Dulari Sharan, was associated with Premanand Maharaj's ashram in Vrindavan.

According to police reports cited by Times of India, Lodhi fell from the fourth floor of a building in the Varah Ghat area on September 25. He was taken to hospital but was declared dead. Police initially suspected suicide and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall.

The case later attracted additional attention after investigators reportedly found a grinder in his room and injuries that raised questions about what had happened before the fall.

Police have been examining CCTV footage and other evidence as part of the investigation. The exact circumstances leading to his death have not been conclusively established.

New CCTV Footage Raises More Questions

A 33-second CCTV clip has now emerged showing the moments shortly before Lodhi's fatal fall.

According to Times of India's report, the footage shows him sitting on the rooftop for around 11 seconds before suddenly getting up and going over the edge. Another disciple can be seen approaching the rooftop, apparently trying to reach him, but the fall occurs before that person can get to him.

The footage is now part of the police investigation.

The video provides information about the final moments visible on CCTV, but it does not by itself establish why Lodhi went to the rooftop or what happened before the recorded sequence.

Police are continuing to question people connected with the incident and examine available evidence.

Ashram Changes Its Arrangements After the Death

Following the incident, the ashram made several changes to its arrangements.

Reports published on October 1 and 2 said that final initiation ceremonies and certain scheduled meetings with Premanand Maharaj were suspended indefinitely.

There were also reports of changes to the dress requirements for initiated disciples living in Vrindavan. Disciples were reportedly asked to stop wearing the customary yellow and white clothing and instead dress like ordinary devotees, while ascetics and the saint's personal attendants continued with traditional attire.

The reported changes came amid heightened attention surrounding Lodhi's death.

A 17-Year-Old Boy’s Family Stages Protest

The situation gained another dimension when the family of Anuj Chaudhary, a teenager from the Hathras area, went to the Shri Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan seeking information about him.

Reports differ on his exact age, describing him as 16, 17 or 18 in different accounts. The most recent Amar Ujala report dated October 3 identifies him as 17.

According to reports, Anuj had become interested in Premanand Maharaj's teachings and had taken initiation around three months earlier.

His family says they had been unable to get clear information about his whereabouts and alleged that they were not being allowed to meet him.

The family subsequently staged a sit-in outside the ashram, demanding information and his return.

Family Says Anuj May Be at the Ashram

The situation around Anuj is particularly sensitive because different reports describe developments differently.

According to a TV9 report, pressure from the family led to the ashram acknowledging that Anuj was present there. The report says his family had alleged that they were prevented from meeting him for months.

Other reports published on October 3 continued to describe the family as demanding that Anuj be brought before them.

This means the story should not simply be described as an unresolved disappearance from the ashram itself. The central dispute is about his whereabouts, access to him and the family's concerns regarding the information they received.

There is currently no established evidence in the sources reviewed that the ashram abducted or unlawfully detained him.

Noida Woman Has Also Gone Missing

A separate case involving a woman from Noida has added to the attention around the ashram.

According to reports published on October 2 and 3, a 35-year-old Noida woman named Vibha left home on August 15, reportedly telling her family that she was going to the Premanand Maharaj ashram.

She did not return home afterward.

Her father subsequently travelled to Vrindavan looking for her and sought information from the Shri Radha Keli Kunj Ashram.

Reports say Vibha has an MBA qualification and that her family has been searching for her for several weeks.

Her family believes she may have gone to the ashram or may have travelled there because of her religious interest, but her current whereabouts have not been established in the reports reviewed.

Family Says They Could Not Get Clear Information

The woman's father reportedly visited the Vrindavan ashram while searching for his daughter.

Amar Ujala reported that he said he was not allowed inside and did not receive what he considered a satisfactory response from the ashram's staff.

These are the family's allegations, not established findings against the ashram.

The woman's disappearance is a separate matter from the death of Deepak Lodhi and the case involving Anuj Chaudhary.

Police investigation and the missing-person case remain important to determining where she is and what happened after she left home.

Three Developments Are Now Being Discussed Together

The recent developments can broadly be divided into three separate cases:

1. Deepak Lodhi's death:
A 25-year-old disciple died after falling from a fourth-floor building in Vrindavan. Police are investigating the circumstances.

2. Anuj Chaudhary case:
A teenage boy who became associated with the ashram after initiation has been the subject of a family search and protest. Reports indicate that the family has raised concerns about access to him and information about his whereabouts.

3. Vibha's disappearance:
A 35-year-old Noida woman reportedly left home on August 15 saying she was going to the Premanand Maharaj ashram and has not returned, according to her family.

These cases have occurred around the same religious institution, but there is currently no verified evidence establishing that they are connected to one another.

Police Investigation Into the Disciple’s Death Continues

The investigation into Deepak Lodhi's death remains central to the controversy.

Police are examining CCTV footage and questioning people who were present around the location. Earlier reports also said investigators were examining digital evidence from Lodhi's phone, including whether data had been deleted before his death.

The newly surfaced CCTV footage is expected to help investigators reconstruct the final sequence before the fall.

At this stage, the exact circumstances and motive remain under investigation.

Ashram Faces Increased Public Attention

The combination of the death investigation and the two missing-person cases has resulted in increased attention around the Vrindavan ashram.

The institution attracts large numbers of devotees, and reports say the recent changes have affected normal arrangements for visitors and disciples.

Some devotees who travelled from other cities reportedly found that scheduled meetings or initiation-related activities had been suspended.

The changes have therefore affected not only the individuals directly involved in the cases but also visitors who had planned trips to Vrindavan.

What Has Been Confirmed So Far?

It is important to separate confirmed developments from allegations and speculation.

Confirmed or reported by multiple outlets:

• Deepak Lodhi, also known as Rasik Dulari Sharan, died after falling from a fourth-floor building in Vrindavan.
• Police are investigating the circumstances of his death.
• CCTV footage from shortly before the fall has surfaced.
• The ashram has changed some of its arrangements following the incident.
• Anuj Chaudhary's family has protested outside the ashram seeking information about him.
• A Noida woman, Vibha, has been reported missing since August 15 after telling her family she was going to the Premanand Maharaj ashram.

Not established by the available evidence:

• That the ashram caused Deepak Lodhi's death.
• That the ashram abducted or illegally detained either missing person.
• That the three cases are connected.
• That any specific individual is responsible for the incidents.

Those distinctions are important while the investigations continue.

Why the Story Is Drawing Attention

Premanand Maharaj has a large following, particularly in Vrindavan and among devotees who follow his spiritual discourses online.

Because the recent cases involve people associated with his religious ecosystem, developments have attracted considerable public attention.

The emergence of CCTV footage, the family's protest over Anuj and the search for the missing Noida woman have added new layers to a story that began with the death of Deepak Lodhi.

However, the available evidence does not yet provide a single explanation connecting all these events.

Final Thoughts

The controversy surrounding the Premanand Maharaj-associated ashram in Vrindavan has intensified following the death of disciple Deepak Lodhi and two separate cases involving people whose families have sought information about them.

The investigation into Lodhi's death is ongoing, with CCTV footage now providing investigators with additional material to examine. Meanwhile, Anuj Chaudhary's family has staged a protest demanding information about the teenager, while the family of Noida woman Vibha continues to search for her after she reportedly left home on August 15 saying she was going to the ashram.

At present, there is no verified evidence that these cases are connected or that the ashram is responsible for the incidents.

The coming days of police investigation, missing-person inquiries and any official statements from the concerned authorities will be important in establishing what actually happened.

FAQs

What happened to Premanand Maharaj's disciple Deepak Lodhi?
Deepak Lodhi, also known as Rasik Dulari Sharan, died after falling from the fourth floor of a building in Vrindavan on September 25. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

What does the new CCTV footage show?
A reported 33-second clip shows Lodhi sitting on a rooftop for around 11 seconds before suddenly getting up and falling from the building. Another person is seen approaching the rooftop shortly before the fall.

Who is Anuj Chaudhary?
Anuj Chaudhary is a teenager from the Hathras area whose family says he became associated with Premanand Maharaj's spiritual community after taking initiation. His family has protested outside the ashram seeking information and access to him.

Who is the missing woman linked to the latest reports?
Reports identify her as Vibha, a 35-year-old woman from Noida. Her family says she left home on August 15 saying she was going to the Premanand Maharaj ashram and has not returned.

Has police confirmed that the ashram is responsible for these cases?
No such finding is established in the reports reviewed. The death and missing-person cases are being investigated, while some allegations have been made by relatives.

Has the Premanand Maharaj ashram changed its rules?
Yes. Reports say certain initiation ceremonies and scheduled meetings were suspended indefinitely after the disciple's death, along with changes to dress arrangements for some disciples.