Controversial godman Bhayyuji Maharaj shoots himself dead in Indore

He has been rushed to the hospital in a critical condition

Indore: Controversial godman and spiritual leader Bhayyuji Maharaj committed suicide on Tuesday afternoon by shooting himself in the head with a gun. He was rushed to Bombay Hospital in Indore in a critical condition, where doctors later declared him dead.

"He shot himself dead at his residence in Silver Spring, a post area of the city," said the DIG.  He left a suicide note which said, " "Somebody should be there to handle duties of family. I am leaving too much stressed out. Fed up."

The police have cordoned off the entire area. A large number of his supporters have gathered in front of the hospital.

A former model in Bollywood, the godman later turned to spirituality and was an advisor to many politicians and members of the showbiz. He was reportedly in a lot of stress and depression over issues within the family and political pressures.

State Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had offered him the position of a state minister earlier this year, which he turned down. 

He announced his retirement from public life in 2016, a move that surprised many.

Bhayyuji Maharaj, whose original name is Uday Singh Deshmukh, has shot himself, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Indore H C Mishra told PTI.

He shot himself dead at around 2:50 pm, nearly an hour after his last tweet on Maha Shivratri (see below). 

Bhayyuji's first wife died a few years ago. He remarried again in 2017. 

He was very popular across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.  His ashram is situated in Indore city and top political leaders including Devendra Fadnavis, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar among others are his disciples.

He also played the role of a mediator when India Against Corruption (IAC) movement led by Anna Hazare was at its peak.

With agency inputs