From a Yoga guru to a saint to an accused -- Anand Giri's life has been a roller-coaster ride. Now in police custody for allegedly abetting the suicide of his mentor Mahant Narendra Giri, not many are surprised with what has happened to Anand Giri -- once termed as a successor to his guru. Mahant Narendra Giri had brought Anand from a Haridwar Ashram to Prayagraj's Baghambari Mutt when he was 12 years old. Anand, now 38, hails from Bhilwara in Rajasthan.

He was formally inducted into the Shri Panchayati Akhara Niranjani, the ancient monastic order to which Narendra Giri belonged, in 2007. Known as 'Chhote Maharaj' at the famous Bade Hanuman temple in Prayagraj before he had a dispute with his Mahant Narendra Giri over various issues, including property. Over the period of time, he cultivated his own following through yoga.