Indore: Controversial godman Namdeo Tyagi was arrested with six of his associates from his ashram here on Sunday.
The Indore district administration demolished an “illegal construction” belonging to Tyagi, popularly known as Computer Baba. “Six people have been detained as they tried to obstruct the demolition process,” Additional District Magistrate, Indore, was quoted as saying by ANI.
Indore administration officials found illegal construction and encroachments on a two-acre government land in his ashram premises, which is spread over 40 acres, the market value of which is estimated at Rs 80 crore.
“The preventive arrests were made under Section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) during demolition of illegal construction on government land in Tyagi’s ashram at Jamburdi Hapsi village on Indore’s outskirts. Tyagi and six of his associates have been sent to jail,” PTI quoted Superintendent of Police (western region) Maheshchandra Jain as saying.
Officials of the state’s revenue department informed that a fine of Rs 2,000 had been imposed on the ashram a few days ago. Ashram office-bearers were also asked to remove illegal constructions from government land.
But those running the ashram didn’t pay heed, forcing the administration to carry out the process of demolition.
Last year, the Kamal Nath-headed Congress government appointed Computer Baba as chairman of Narmada, Kshipra and Mandakini River Trust. Shortly after taking charge, Computer Baba demanded a helicopter, saying he will need a modern “astra shastra” if the Narmada river is to be saved.
Computer Baba had previously accused the previous Shivraj Singh Chouhan government of corruption in planting of saplings along the Narmada and announced a probe.
In 2018, the previous government – headed by BJP’s Shivraj Singh Chouhan — had entrusted Computer Baba with responsibility of Mission cleaning and rejuvenating Narmada. He was also accorded Minister of State (MoS) status. But ahead of the state Assembly elections, Computer Baba resigned and switched allegiance to Congress, calling the BJP government irreligious.
Now, the wheel has come a full cycle.
