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Mathura’s Shri Giriraj Seva Trust reportedly targeted by land mafias, sparking violent clashes on January 25. Chairman Radheshyam Shastri demands urgent police action to protect the trust’s property, cows, and staff.
Mathura: Shri Giriraj Seva Trust in Vrindavan, Mathura, came under attack by alleged land mafias on January 25, according to the trust’s chairman, Radheshyam Shastri. Speaking in a press conference, Shastri accused Bhagwati Prasad Kedia and a group of accomplices of attempting to illegally seize the trust’s land, reportedly leading to physical assault and disruption on the premises.
Shastri urged law enforcement agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly and take strict legal action against those responsible.
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Shastri, a veteran religious leader who has been conducting Srimad Bhagavat Katha recitals for over four decades, stressed the trust’s long history of service. The Shri Giriraj Seva Trust, established in 2007 in memory of his father, has eight trustees, with Kedia singled out for alleged criminal intent to grab property.
The chairman claimed that Kedia sent six individuals including Hement Jain, Umashankar Sharma, Gaurishankar Dham, and KD Sharma to carry out the attack while Shastri was away in Jharkhand for religious duties. Shastri said Kedia personally remained in his vehicle during the incident, and some women were also present.
Shastri said the trust’s premises, which include a gaushala with cows, water facilities, and caretakers residing on-site, were targeted in the attack. CCTV footage, photographs, and medical reports documenting the assault have been handed over to local authorities.
According to Shastri, Kedia has multiple pending criminal cases in Rajasthan related to land grabbing, fraud, and intimidation, including attempts to seize the Adarsh Vidya Mandir Charitable Trust. He has also faced disputes within his family over property matters.
Shastri emphasized that the allegations are based on verified evidence and personal knowledge. He called on the district administration and police to conduct a fair and impartial investigation to ensure the safety of the trust, its staff, and animals. He expressed confidence in the legal system to deliver justice.
