Neem Karoli Baba Birthplace Dispute Reaches Firozabad DM as Family Questions Trust Ownership

Six granddaughters of spiritual figure Neem Karoli Baba have approached the Firozabad district administration over a dispute concerning his ancestral home and a worship site in Uttar Pradesh, alleging interference and occupation by the Shri Thakur Hanuman Ji Trust.

The women have submitted a complaint to the Firozabad District Magistrate, seeking an investigation into the ownership and control of the property associated with Neem Karoli Baba’s birthplace.

According to the complaint, the ancestral property is located in Akbarpur village under Tundla tehsil in Firozabad district. The site is regarded as the birthplace of Neem Karoli Baba and holds significant religious importance for his followers.

The complainants — Sunita Sharma, Archana Sharma, Vandana Sharma, Bhavana Rawat, Ritu Tiwari and Richa Rawat — are the granddaughters of Neem Karoli Baba’s younger son, Dharam Narayan Sharma.

The family has claimed that the ancestral house was never donated to the Shri Thakur Hanuman Ji Trust. They have asked the district administration to examine revenue records and other documents to establish the legal ownership of the property.

They have also alleged that the trust interfered with the worship site connected to the ancestral home and sought action against any illegal occupation if such claims are established during the inquiry.

Neem Karoli Baba, whose birthplace is located in Firozabad, remains a widely revered spiritual figure with followers in India and abroad. The religious significance of the site has also led to government initiatives aimed at improving facilities for devotees and developing the area as a religious tourism destination.

Firozabad District Magistrate Santosh Sharma said the administration was examining the allegations and that an inquiry was under way.

The district administration is also overseeing development work in the area to improve facilities for visitors and devotees. Officials said the site holds considerable religious importance, and projects are being undertaken to improve infrastructure and accessibility.

However, the Shri Thakur Hanuman Ji Trust has rejected the allegations made by the family.

Trust treasurer Manoj Agrawal said the claims were incorrect and maintained that Neem Karoli Baba’s ancestral house, temple and dak bungalow had been legally transferred to the trust.

According to the trust, Neem Karoli Baba’s wife, Rambeti, established the organisation in 1996. The trust currently has 18 members, while Baba’s daughter Girja Bhatele serves as its president.

The trust has maintained that it is managing the property and associated religious activities as a service and has denied allegations of private use or illegal occupation.

The dispute has now reached the Firozabad administration, with competing claims being made over the ownership and management of a property closely associated with Neem Karoli Baba’s birthplace.

The outcome will depend on the district administration’s examination of revenue records, ownership documents and other evidence submitted by both sides.

Until the inquiry is completed, the ownership claims made by the family and the trust remain disputed.