MP govt begins probe into alleged violation of lease deed by Asaram Bapu's ashram

INDORE: The district administration today began investigations into alleged violation of the lease deed conditions by a local ashram of controversial godman Asaram Bapu who is in jail on the charge of sexually assaulting a minor girl.

The probe into alleged violation of lease deed by the Asaram Gurukul Trust, which manages the ashram located on Khandwa Road here, began in the presence of top district officials, sources said here.

Officials took measurements of the ashram, from where he was arrested on August 31 by Jodhpur Police, and also of its premises, they said.

The probe began following a complaint that the lease conditions were breached as pucca structures were raised in the premises of the ashram, sources said.

Nearly seven hectares of government land had been given to Asaram Gurukul Trust at Limbodi and Bilawali villages adjoining Indore on annual lease of merely Rs 1 in 1998, sources said.

According to the complaint, pucca constructions were built by the Trust on the land in violation of the lease deed conditions, sources said.