Gujarat police have begun investigations after a Swaminarayan saint’s body was found within the BAPS temple premises in Gadhada, a prominent pilgrimage town in the Botad district of Gujarat. Pujari Pratap Singh Sindha was in service to god. The police have taken possession of the dead body and are taking further action. The police are investigating whether there is any foul play involved since the body recovered is deceased.
When the police learned that the priest’s body had been discovered dead in the temple early this morning, a heavy police convoy, including DYSP, LCB and SOG, rushed to the scene. The police started a manhunt after a suspiciously deceased body was discovered within the BAPS Swaminarayan temple. Police are investigating whether the priest was murdered or passed away naturally.
A large number of devotees gathered today at the temple for the Janmashtmi festival when the news first unravelled.
BAPS:
BAPS (Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) is a prominent Swaminarayan sect. It expanded significantly since 1971, under Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s leadership. The BAPS Global Network includes over 1100 temples and 3,850 centres. BAPS allows devotees to offer devotion to the murtis of Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami and their successors, facilitating the practice of this doctrine.
BAPS temple offers events that promote culture and youth development. Many devotees see the temple as a place for Hindu values taught and incorporated into their daily routines, family life and occupations.
Through BAPS Charities, a separate non-profit aid organization led several initiatives around the world, including healthcare, education, environmental problems and community-building campaigns. BAPS also engages in a variety of humanitarian and charitable endeavours.
Today, over a thousand Swaminarayan temples have spread across five continents.
