Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Family Dispute Erupts Over Neem Karoli Maharaj's Ancestral Home
Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj was a Hindu saint whose birthplace is in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh.
His family is arguing about who should control the house.
Six granddaughters say a trust led by their aunt is occupying it unfairly.
They complained to the district administration after they were allegedly not allowed to stay there during a family event.
Officials created a committee to examine the property documents and the family's claims.
Another relative says the house was given to the trust because that was the saint's wish.
The trust secretary says there is no illegal occupation or internal dispute.
Interest in the house increased after a film about the saint became popular.
Six granddaughters of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj have accused a family-run trust of illegally occupying his ancestral home in Akbarpur, Uttar Pradesh.
The district administration formed a three-member committee led by Additional District Magistrate (Judicial) Arvind Kumar Dwivedi to investigate.
The disputed property includes the saint's birthplace, meditation room, dining area, guest quarters and bedroom, and is being developed as a tourist attraction.
The granddaughters filed their complaint after allegedly being denied lodging during a family event on August 24.
A family member said the property was handed to the trust according to the saint's wishes, while the trust secretary denied illegal occupation and an internal dispute.
- Who
- Six granddaughters of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj, the Shri Neem Karoli Maharaj Trust, and district officials are involved.
- What
- A family dispute over control of the saint's ancestral home has prompted an official investigation.
- When
- The dispute became public after a family event on August 24; the film Hanuman Ansh was released on August 7, 2026.
- Where
- House number 154 and adjacent structures in Akbarpur village, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The granddaughters allege that the trust is illegally occupying the property, while another family member says it was transferred to the trust according to the saint's wishes.
Granddaughters' Allegations
Trust and Family Response
Control of the property
Granddaughters' Allegations
The six granddaughters allege that the family-run trust is illegally occupying the ancestral home and want it freed from trust control.
Trust and Family Response
Dhananjay Sharma says the property was handed over to the trust in accordance with Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj's wishes.
Nature of the dispute
Granddaughters' Allegations
The granddaughters' complaint followed an allegation that they were denied lodging during a family event.
Trust and Family Response
Trust secretary Sanjay Gupta denies illegal occupation and says there is no internal trust dispute.
Resolution
Granddaughters' Allegations
The granddaughters have submitted property documents to the inquiry committee and are seeking administrative action.
Trust and Family Response
Dhananjay Sharma has urged family members to resolve the matter amicably, while Gupta says the trust has not received an official notice.
- Disputed property
- House number 154 and adjacent structures in Akbarpur village
- Property size
- A duplex on an approximately 4,000-square-foot plot
- Trust manager
- Shri Neem Karoli Maharaj Trust, headed by Girija Devi Bhatele
- Investigation committee
- Three members, led by Additional District Magistrate (Judicial) Arvind Kumar Dwivedi
- Complaint
- Filed by six granddaughters of the saint's late son Dharm Narayan Sharma
- Tourism development
- The Uttar Pradesh tourism department is developing the site as a tourist attraction
- Film impact
- Hanuman Ansh reportedly collected more than Rs 150 crore worldwide within a month