SURESHANAND.

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Aide, Asaram's trust/ashram network

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

“Sureshanand is a senior administrator and trustee in Asaram Bapu's ashram network who managed the trust's local operations. Sureshanand went into hiding in late 2013 following the seizure of major financial documents by the Surat Police.”

Sureshanand was a senior trustee and manager within the Sant Shri Asaramji Bapu Ashram Trust, operating primarily from the Motera ashram in Ahmedabad. As a trusted associate of Asaram Bapu, Sureshanand managed the daily operations of the trust's educational programs and local charitable activities. He was also responsible for coordinating with regional ashram branches to manage cash donations and properties.

Following the arrest of Asaram Bapu in September 2013 and the subsequent rape complaints filed by the Surat sisters, the Gujarat Police launched investigations into the cult's administrative and financial operations. Sureshanand was identified by investigators as a key administrator who had knowledge of the movements of female disciples and the management of ashram hostels during the period of the alleged offenses.

In late October 2013, the Surat Police conducted raids on the trust's offices, seizing 42 gunny bags containing roughly 58,000 financial records and land documents. Sureshanand was named by investigators as one of the key officials responsible for managing these assets. Immediately after the document seizure, Sureshanand went into hiding, disappearing from public view and avoiding police questioning, which led to the issuance of search warrants against him.

His current status remains unknown, and his disappearance has hindered efforts by local police and federal tax agencies to fully investigate the cult's financial transactions. Sureshanand's case, detailed in investigative reporting on the ashram's collapse, illustrates how senior administrators within the organization vanished to avoid legal accountability. He remains listed in police files as an absconding associate.