Guwahati: A 27-year-old transgender self-styled ‘Aghori’, Kali Nand Giri, has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain following allegations of tampering with human remains at a crematorium.
The incident came to light after a video allegedly showing Giri consuming what she claimed were human remains from a burning funeral pyre went viral on social media.
According to reports, the video was recorded at the Chakratirth cremation ground in Ujjain.
In the video, Giri is allegedly seen arriving at the cremation ground carrying a sword and chanting mantras before using the sword to interfere with a burning pyre.
She then allegedly removes a substance from the pyre and consumes it, describing it as ‘hot and tasty’.
The video triggered widespread public outrage, with Hindu religious leaders condemning the alleged act and approaching the police.
Ujjain City Superintendent of Police Pushpa Prajapati said an FIR was registered based on a complaint.
The case was registered under Section 301 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to trespassing at burial or cremation places and indignity to human remains.
Giri was subsequently arrested, produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.
Police also seized a four-wheeler allegedly belonging to Giri. Reports claimed that a large number of human skulls were found inside the vehicle.
Giri is associated with the Kinnar Akhara, an organisation established by members of the transgender community in 2015.
She was reportedly given the title of Mahamandaleshwar by the All India Akhara Council around a year ago. The title was later withdrawn following controversies, including allegations of violating the guru-disciple tradition.
Despite the withdrawal, Giri continued to claim the title.
Giri, who hails from Mancherial in Telangana, reportedly left home at a young age to pursue an ascetic life.
She has claimed to be the country’s first transgender Aghori and has reportedly travelled across India, while also claiming to speak 18 languages.
The incident has sparked a wider debate over Aghori practices, religious traditions and the limits of ritual conduct at cremation grounds.
