Arya Samaj propagator found dead at ashram

Bathinda, December 30

A renowned Arya Samaj propagator and founder of Maharishi Yog Ashram, Goniana Mandi, Swami Surya Dev, was found dead at his ashram today.

Swami, around 40 years old, allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan in his room, sources said.

DSP (D) Kuldeep Singh Bhullar said Swami failed to respond to calls from friend Daljit Singh Khurmi after which he along with a few others reached the ashram around 3 pm and informed the police. The police forced open the door and found Swami’s body hanging from the fan.

The DSP said Swami’s nephew Rahul went to sleep in another room after knocking at the former’s door.

The body has been sent to the Civil Hospital, where a postmortem would be conducted. The police have initiated a probe.

Swami Surya Dev was a popular figure in the region and had travelled across the world propagating Arya Samaj. Last month, he held a meeting with RSS president Mohan Bhagwat. He got associated with Arya Samaj after completing his BSc from Delhi University. For the past 15 years, he had been living at his ashram in the district. He used to regularly hold mass marriages of poor girls and was associated with other social works in the region. — TNS