Abhey Singh, known as IIT Baba, is facing legal issues in Jaipur for allegedly carrying a small amount of marijuana, which he claims was “prasad” from the Maha Kumbh festival. Despite the police seizing 1.5 grams of ganja, he avoided arrest, arguing that many seers used it openly at the event. The police approached him after receiving reports of a potential suicide, which he denied. Singh argued against the legality of his seizure, questioning why seers at the festival weren’t arrested too. Earlier, he made headlines for claiming he was assaulted on TV and was temporarily banned from the Juna Akhara camp.
Jaipur:
Abhey Singh, widely recognized as IIT Baba after a fleeting stint of fame during the Maha Kumbh festival, is currently embroiled in a legal case in Jaipur for allegedly possessing ‘ganja’ or marijuana. Singh has downplayed the situation, asserting that the substance was merely “prasad” – a religious offering.
Despite the allegations, IIT Baba avoided arrest since the quantity of the narcotic was minimal.
“(They found) ‘prasad’, ganja, among my belongings… Every seer has this prasad. If it’s deemed illegal, then authorities should arrest the seers who were openly consuming it at the Maha Kumbh,” he expressed to reporters.
The police’s account, however, adds an unusual twist to the tale. They disclosed that they arrived at the self-proclaimed seer’s accommodation – Riddhi Siddhi Park Classic Hotel – after receiving reports of his threats to commit suicide via social media.
“When our police team reached the hotel and questioned the 35-year-old about his remarks, he retrieved a packet of ganja from his pocket and stated, ‘I had consumed ganja. If any statements I made were under its influence, I don’t recall anything’,” the police noted in their statement.
The ganja packet, weighing 1.50 grams, was promptly confiscated in accordance with the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). An investigation is currently underway.
Mr. Singh – who claims to be an aerospace engineer from IIT-Bombay – refuted the police’s ‘suicide’ allegation, stating, “They arrived here (at my hotel) under the false premise of an odd case. They claimed someone informed them I was going to commit suicide. However, they came and initiated a different agenda altogether.”
Meanwhile, another video of him is gaining traction, where he is heard declaring that the First Information Report (FIR) “makes no sense”.
“They have filed a case. (They asserted) I cannot do this and that it is illegal. However, it seems nonsensical since many seers openly had this during the Maha Kumbh. Are they going to arrest all of them now? That is clear evidence,” he stated in the video.
Recently, ‘IIT Baba’ made headlines when he alleged that he was assaulted during a news debate segment on a private TV channel in Noida.
He also staged a sit-in outside the police station in Sector 126 but later called off the protest after police persuaded him.
Bhupendra Singh, SHO at Sector 126 police station, noted that he was convinced and did not proceed with the complaint.
Previously, Mr. Singh faced a ban from the Juna Akhara camp at the Maha Kumbh, with its spokesperson labeling him an “educated lunatic” who “disrespected” his guru.