Chief priest of Bageshwar Dham, Dhirender Shastri, issued a stark statement on July 15, 2026, asserting that he has no personal or familial ties to his younger brother Shaligram Garg, who has been booked in a firing and assault case in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatarpur district. The development has sparked a wave of concern among devotees and political observers alike.

Case Details

According to Chhatarpur Superintendent of Police Rajat Saklecha, a dispute between two groups in Koda village escalated into a shooting. Shaligram Garg was identified as one of the four accused, with the injured complainant, Motilal Kushwaha, alleging that Shaligram, along with Ankit Mishra and others, first assaulted him and then opened fire, discharging three to four rounds from a pistol.

Shastri’s Response

In his remarks, Shastri emphasized, "I have no connection with him. In fact, I have no ties to my family. The entire world is my family; I live for society, for the nation, and for Sanatan Dharma." He urged that the law should handle the matter independently and warned against being dragged into every family controversy.

Background of Prior Allegations

Shaligram’s legal troubles are not new. In February 2023, a viral video allegedly showed him threatening a Dalit family during a wedding while brandishing a firearm, leading to charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Subsequent FIRs in April 2024 and June 2024 involved assault accusations at a toll plaza and alleged harassment of women and a minor, respectively.

Social and Political Implications

Shastri’s disavowal of family ties can be seen as a strategic move to protect his spiritual authority from being tarnished by his brother’s alleged misconduct. Analysts suggest that such a stance helps preserve the trust of his followers while navigating the complex interplay of religion, law, and regional politics in central India.