Two teenagers missing from ashram found in different locations
A 17-year-old disciple of Vrindavan-based spiritual guru Premanand Maharaj, who had been missing since July, was traced to an ashram in Barsana, around 45 km from Vrindavan, on Saturday evening. Anuj Chaudhary, a Class 12 student and native of Hathras district, had taken initiation from Premanand Maharaj in July in the presence of his mother before returning home. Days later, he left his home telling his family he was going to the ashram but did not return.
Anuj's family staged a protest on Friday near the Shri Radha Keli Kunj Ashram in Vrindavan, alleging that the ashram management had been misleading them for nearly three months and withholding information about his whereabouts. They had travelled to Vrindavan several times seeking answers but received no clear response. The family specifically demanded access to CCTV footage from the ashram premises and the apartment building where most disciples stay, but their requests were denied. A kidnapping case was registered at Sahibabad police station in Hathras on July 5. The family subsequently withdrew their demonstration after receiving assurances from senior police officials.
Police coordinated with Hathras authorities to locate Anuj, circulating his photograph on social media. A person who recognised him alerted police, leading to his recovery. The discovery came days after a 25-year-old disciple of Premanand Maharaj died following a fall from the fourth floor of a building near the Vrindavan ashram.
