Six granddaughters of Neem Karoli Baba have asked the Firozabad administration to investigate ownership of his ancestral home and worship site. The trust has denied the allegations as officials examine records and competing claims.
A dispute has emerged over the ancestral home and worship site of renowned spiritual figure Neem Karoli Baba in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad district, with six granddaughters of his younger son approaching the District Magistrate (DM) alleging interference by the Shri Thakur Hanuman Ji Trust.
The six women — Sunita Sharma, Archana Sharma, Vandana Sharma, Bhavana Rawat, Ritu Tiwari and Richa Rawat — have submitted a complaint to Firozabad DM Santosh Sharma, seeking an investigation into the ownership and alleged occupation of the property.
According to the family, Neem Karoli Baba had two sons, Anke Singh Sharma and Dharam Narayan Sharma. Anke Singh Sharma had a son and a daughter, while Dharam Narayan Sharma had the six daughters who have now raised the issue with the district administration.
The ancestral property is located in Akbarpur village under the Tundla tehsil of Firozabad district and is regarded as Neem Karoli Baba’s birthplace. The family has alleged that the trust has also interfered with the worship site attached to the ancestral property.
The complainants have claimed that the ancestral house was never donated to the trust and have urged the administration to examine revenue records and other documents. They have also sought action to remove any illegal occupation or interference if established during the inquiry.
Firozabad DM Santosh Sharma said the administration was already looking into the allegations.
“This is Baba’s birthplace and several government projects are underway here to ensure that devotees visiting the site do not face any difficulties,” Sharma said. He added that the government was also working to develop the religious site as a better tourist destination, given its significance and the sentiments attached to it.
“As far as the allegations are concerned, an inquiry is being conducted,” the DM said.
WHAT THE TRUST SAYS
The Shri Thakur Hanuman Ji Trust, which is at the centre of the dispute, has rejected the allegations. Trust treasurer Manoj Agrawal said the claims were incorrect and maintained that Neem Karoli Baba’s house, temple and dak bungalow had been legally transferred to the trust.
According to Agrawal, Baba’s wife Rambeti established the trust in 1996. The trust currently has 18 members, with Baba’s daughter Girja Bhatele serving as its president.
