Bhawanipatna, Feb 21: A former disciple has been detained for threatening the Head of Jalespatta Ashram in Khahandi district, said Kandhamal SP, Vinit Agarwal, in a presser today.

The prime accused has been identified as Madhav, a former disciple of the Ashram.

According to the police, the head of Jalespatta Ashram Sadhu Muktanand Puri had received a death threat on Saturday following which he informed the police about the incident. Subsequently, the police started an investigation into the matter and nabbed the prime accused within 24 hours of the occurrence of the incident.

The Jalespatta Ashram came to notice when then head of the Ashram Swami Laxamananand Saraswati was murdered along with four of his disciples back in 2008. After the threat, the other disciples of the Ashram were worried as Swami Laxamananand had also received similar death threats prior to his murder in 2008.

The police had deployed guards and conducted search operation in the entire ashram to avert any mishap.

Notably, the BJP and Viswa Hindu Parishad had condemned the act and some BJP workers under the leadership of former Minister Surama Padhi had met Sadhu Muktanand Puri at the Ashram earlier today. The VHP had alleged that some infidels were behind the incident.