Suspicious Death of Sadhvi Prem Baisa Sparks Protests in Rajasthan

The recent death of renowned religious figure Sadhvi Prem Baisa in Rajasthan has led to significant unrest, with calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her passing. On Wednesday, the Sadhvi was reported to have fallen ill, prompting the administration of an injection by an unidentified individual at her ashram.

Shortly after receiving the injection, her condition deteriorated rapidly. Her family transported her to Preksha Hospital, where she was sadly declared dead upon arrival. Dr Praveen Jain, the hospital director, confirmed that Sadhvi Prem Baisa was brought in as 'brought dead.' Following protocols, the police were notified, and her family was advised to have a post-mortem conducted at MDM Hospital.

However, in a surprising turn of events, her family opted to take her body back to the ashram located in Boranada rather than adhere to this guidance. Subsequently, local police, led by Sub-Inspector Hemraj, arrived at the scene, sealing off her room for further investigation.

Investigators took her body to MDM Hospital later that night for a post-mortem examination. The situation escalated further when a message was posted on Sadhvi Prem Baisa's social media account around 9.30 pm, nearly four hours after her death. This post echoed sentiments of farewell and referenced the concepts of 'Agni Pariksha' (trial by fire) and justice, raising many questions regarding its authorship and timing.

In the poignant social media message, Sadhvi Prem Baisa proclaimed, "I am bidding farewell to this world forever, but I have complete faith in God and the revered saints and sages. If not in my lifetime, then after my death, I will surely receive justice." This cryptic note has prompted discussions about whether it was composed by her prior to her death or if someone else posted it.

Concerns have also been raised about the actions taken by her family after her passing. Initial reluctance on the part of her father to file a police complaint or agree to a post-mortem has sparked speculation. He chose to transport her body using a personal vehicle instead of accepting the hospital's offer for an ambulance. At present, no official complaint has been filed against the individual who administered the injection.

Police have emphasised the necessity of a medical board-led post-mortem to ascertain whether her death was caused by a negative reaction to the administered injection or could be attributed to other factors. Investigators are also looking into a six-month-old dispute wherein the Sadhvi had accused former associates of blackmail, alongside stress stemming from a controversial video that surfaced last year. This video involved her in an emotional embrace with her guru or father, leading to harassment claims and a registered case.

Politician Hanuman Beniwal has been vocally advocating for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the matter, underscoring the public's growing demand for transparency regarding Sadhvi Prem Baisa's death. The community, profoundly affected by her demise, continues to seek answers amid their grief.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities aim to address the multitude of questions surrounding the events leading to her death, while her followers mourn the loss of a respected spiritual leader.