MLA from MP defends MCD over sealing of Hanut Singh’s residence

With the controversy continuing over the Municipal Corporation of Dehradun  (MCD) having sealed a part of the premises on Rajpur Road where the legendary war hero Hanut Singh, better known as the saint general, resided, Shiva Balyogi Trust has defended the action of the civic body, saying that the civic body had taken the action on the basis of the complaint lodged by the trust.

Addressing the media persons here on Saturday, Manvendra Singh, a MLA from Madhya Pradesh and a member of trust, said that one Nripendra Singh and some other anti-social elements have been fuming over the sealing of the property which was built illegally. “They are now launching a misinformation campaign to malign the ashram,” he said.

He said that there is no Samadhi in the lower portion of the ashram as claimed and Hanut Singh had been cremated at Kankhal in Haridwar.  He alleged Nripendra Singh has been playing politics on the issue. He further said that Hanut Singh  had been given permission by the municipal corporation to live in  the house during his life time.

Udai Prakash the secretary of the ashram, refuted the charge that the  municipal corporation had handed over the keys of the sealed property to the office bearers of the ashram. “No key was handed over to us. The Nagar Nigam only appointed us as the custodian,’’ he said. Sadhvi Amba Shiva Ranjani who was also present at the press conference said that some elements are intimidating the inmates of the ashram.  She also expressed her unhappiness over what she called trial by media on the issue.