Crime to Monkhood: The Transformation of Don Prakash Pandey

Prisoner and underworld don Prakash Pandey, serving a life sentence, was recently initiated into monkhood by seers within Almora district jail. The ceremony included Vedic chanting and offering of sacred items. The transformation seeks to inspire others to embrace spiritualism. Authorities are investigating the event.

Prison life took an unexpected turn for notorious underworld don Prakash Pandey, who is serving a life sentence in Almora district jail, as he was initiated into monkhood by seers in a recent ceremony within the jail premises.

Pandey, known for his involvement in extortion, robbery, and murder cases, was transformed into Prakashanand Giri after seers from the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara offered him sacred items and chanted Vedic mantras. The ceremony aims to inspire other inmates to pursue a spiritual and pure life.

The initiation sparked curiosity about how such a ceremony was permitted in a jail environment. Nainital MP Ajay Bhatt refrained from commenting without further investigation, while the Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara pledged to form a committee to probe the incident.

(With inputs from agencies.)