Mahant Caught Watching Women Change Clothes via CCTV at 'Chhota Haridwar,' ₹1 Lakh Reward Announced After Obscene Videos Found on Pen Drive

The Ghaziabad police have increased the reward for the arrest of Mahant Mukesh Giri to Rs 1 lakh, as the search for the absconding religious leader continues. Mukesh Giri, the Mahant of Shani Mandir located along the Muradnagar Ganga Canal in Uttar Pradesh, has been on the run for nearly four months after being accused of secretly recording women changing clothes via CCTV cameras installed above a changing room.

The case against Mahant Giri surfaced when a woman visiting the Chhota Haridwar site, which Mukesh Giri had established as a religious spot, discovered a hidden camera while using the changing room. The incident occurred on May 21, 2024, when the woman, along with her daughter, came to bathe in the canal. After noticing the camera, she reported the incident to the authorities, which led to an uproar at the site.

It was later revealed that the CCTV cameras were connected to Mukesh Giri’s mobile phone, allowing him to store the footage. Upon further investigation, the police found incriminating evidence on the Mahant’s mobile device, confirming the illegal recordings. The woman filed a formal complaint at the Muradnagar police station, and the case gained significant attention.

Following the complaint, the local administration also took action by using bulldozers to demolish illegal encroachments made by Mukesh Giri around the canal area. However, despite multiple attempts to apprehend him, Mukesh Giri has remained at large since the allegations came to light.

Initially, a reward of Rs 25,000 was announced for any information leading to Mukesh Giri’s arrest, which was later increased to Rs 50,000. Now, with the Mahant still absconding, the police have raised the reward to Rs 1 lakh, hoping it will expedite his capture.

Mukesh Giri, formerly known as Mukesh Goswami, is a well-known figure in the Muradnagar area. After becoming the Mahant of Shani Mandir, he gained the trust of the local community by promoting the canal as "Chhota Haridwar," attracting devotees who came to the site for religious rituals and bathing. However, the recent revelations have shattered the faith of many, leading to public outrage.

The police continue their efforts to apprehend Mukesh Giri, urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to come forward. Despite the ongoing investigation, the case has raised concerns about the safety and privacy of women visiting religious sites, prompting calls for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.