A significant dispute has emerged regarding the ancestral home of revered Hindu saint Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj in Akbarpur village, Uttar Pradesh. Six granddaughters of the saint have formally accused a family-run trust of illegally occupying the property, triggering an official investigation by local authorities.
Family Dispute Over Historic Property
The contention revolves around house number 154 and adjacent structures in Akbarpur village, located within the Tundla tehsil, which is the birthplace of Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj (born Lakshmi Narayan Sharma). The ancestral property, spanning approximately 4,000 square feet, is a duplex comprising the saint’s meditation room, dining area, guest quarters, and bedroom. The Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is actively developing the site as a tourist attraction, adding to its public significance.
The six granddaughters—Sunita Sharma, Archana Sharma, Vandana Sharma, Bhavna Rawat, Ritu Tiwari, and Richa Rawat—are daughters of the saint's late son, Dharm Narayan Sharma. They submitted a representation to the Firozabad District Magistrate, Santosh Kumar Sharma, seeking the release of the residence from the trust's control. The dispute reportedly escalated during a family event on August 24, when the women were allegedly denied accommodation at the property.
Trust Denies Allegations Amidst Investigation
The property is currently managed by the Shri Neem Karoli Maharaj Trust, headed by Baba Neem Karoli’s daughter, Girija Devi Bhatele. His late wife, Rambeti, previously served as its president. Manoj Rawat, husband of Bhavna Rawat, confirmed that relevant property documents have been submitted to the inquiry committee as requested by officials.
However, Dhananjay Sharma, son of the saint’s other late son Anek Singh Sharma, refutes the allegations. He stated that the property was transferred to the Trust in accordance with Baba Neem Karoli’s wishes and urged the family to resolve the matter amicably. Trust secretary Sanjay Gupta also denied claims of illegal occupation or any internal dispute within the Trust, adding that they had not received any official notice from the district administration.
Official Inquiry Committee Formed
In response to the granddaughters' allegations, District Magistrate Santosh Kumar Sharma has constituted a three-member committee to thoroughly investigate the matter. The inquiry is being led by Additional District Magistrate (Judicial) Arvind Kumar Dwivedi, with Tundla Sub-Divisional Magistrate Divya Singh and District Tourism Officer Vishal Srivastava as the other members.
Renewed Interest Following Biographical Film
The surfacing of this family dispute coincides with a surge of renewed public interest in Baba Neem Karoli Maharaj, largely fueled by the recent release of 'Hanuman Ansh'. The devotional biographical film, which premiered on August 7, 2026, has reportedly become a sleeper hit, garnering over ₹150 crore worldwide within a month and drawing significant attention to the saint's life and origins.