Admin files caveat in Asaram ashram case

The district administration filed caveat with Indore bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court on Thursday over three notices against land lease violation and other issues against controversial self proclaimed godman Asaram’s ashram based at Khandwa Road.

SDM Sandip Soni who filed the caveat against Asaram’s ashram
with the HC on Thursday said that three notices have been issued against the ashram this week-- following probe conducted by district administration on land lease violation by the ashram.

He added that on Tuesday, the collector had issued a notice to Ashram Trust for violation of lease terms under section 182 of MP Land Revenue Court (MPLRC).

On Wednesday, another notice was issued under section 172 of MPLRC for construction in the green belt without diversion of land, which is a pre-requisite for making constructions on government land, Soni said.

Similarly, another notice was issued by Tehsildar of the area concerned for encroachment of government land under section 248 of MPLRC. 

Soni said that the district administration has asked the ashram administration to furnish replies on all the three notices for clarifying its stand.

The government had provided 6.589 acres of land in 1998 for developing garden and yoga practice on an annual rent of Re 1 only. However, the Ashram purchased land from adjoining areas and merged it with it and even encroached upon half hectare of government land.

SDM Vijay Agrawal had recently conducted a probe for assessing land lease violation by the ashram, following which the notices were issued.