- By Shubham Bajpai
- Tue, 14 Jul 2026 11:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
- Shaligram Garg accused in farmer firing case in Chhatarpur.
- Dhirendra Shastri distances self, calls for legal action.
- Farmer alleges land pressure, shot by Shaligram Garg.
A major row erupted on Tuesday after the name of Shaligram Garg, younger brother of Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the head priest of the famous Bageshwar Dham, surfaced in the case of firing on a farmer in the Rajnagar police station area of Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district.
In his first reaction, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has distanced himself from the incident. In a statement issued on social media, he asserted that he has nothing to do with his brother Shaligram and that the law should take its course.
In a statement released on social media, Dhirendra Shastri said, "We have said before that we have nothing to do with Shaligram. Our society is our family. The law is equal for everyone. Whatever legal action is required, it should be taken. We should not be linked to anyone."
The firing incident took place on Tuesday in village Koda of Rajnagar police station area. Motilal Kushwaha, a farmer injured in the incident, has alleged that Shaligram pressured him to sell his land and opened fire when he refused.
The bullet was stuck in the farmer's ribs, which was removed by doctors through surgery. The injured farmer also claimed that he wasn't the only one being pressured, but other farmers too were asked to sell their land. He added that they are beaten and threatened if they refuse.
According to the farmer, Shaligram and his associates reached his house and attacked him with sticks and fired three to four rounds.
Shaligram Garg's past controversies
Shaligram Garg has a long history of controversies. He has previously been embroiled in cases of brandishing a pistol and assault. In February 2023, a case was filed against him for brandishing a pistol, threatening, and assaulting an Ahirwar family at a wedding in Garha village.
Subsequently, in April 2024, an FIR was filed against him for assaulting toll workers and causing a ruckus at Sagar's Mugwari toll plaza. It's worth noting that in December 2024, Shaligram himself released a video announcing his severance with his brother, Dhirendra Krishna Shastri.