The death of prominent kathavachak and religious preacher Sadhvi Prem Baisa has stirred controversy in western Rajasthan, with political leaders, family members and followers demanding a thorough inquiry into what many believe are suspicious circumstances. Her sudden death on Wednesday evening, followed by a cryptic Instagram post and revelations about a past blackmail complaint, has intensified calls for a high-level investigation.

Baisa was brought to a private hospital in Jodhpur from her Boranada ashram by her father, Veeram Nath, and another aide, but doctors declared her “brought dead”. What happened in the hours before her collapse – and immediately afterward – is now central to a growing probe.

Sudden collapse after injection

Dr Praveen Jain, who examined her at the private facility, told reporters that he attempted resuscitation but found no signs of movement in her body. According to the doctor, Nath informed him that she had been running a fever and that a compounder had been summoned to the ashram for treatment. The sadhvi reportedly lost consciousness shortly after being administered an injection.

Jain also said he advised that her body be taken to a government hospital for a post-mortem, but her father declined the ambulance and transported her in his own vehicle instead.

Speaking to NDTV, Nath said she had been unwell for some time. "That's why we called a compounder to the ashram. But five minutes after the injection, she became unconscious," he said.

Police later detained the compounder and seized his medical equipment as part of the investigation.

A police officer told TOI: “After examination, the doctor declared her dead,” adding that the body had been shifted to a government hospital for autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Political demands for a high-level probe

Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) leader and Jat community figure Hanuman Beniwal said Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and the Director General of Police must intervene.

He described the circumstances of Baisa’s death as suspicious and urged a CBI inquiry, saying, “A high-level investigation should be conducted into this matter.”

Instagram post after death raises questions

Adding to the confusion, a post from Sadhvi Prem Baisa’s Instagram account appeared roughly four hours after her death, in which she is seen addressing her followers. The long caption included lines such as, "I have lived every single moment for the propagation of Sanatan Dharma...I am bidding farewell to this world forever…If not in my lifetime, then after my death, I will surely receive justice.”

Her father confirmed the post was sent from her phone, saying, “A fellow guru maharaj sent the message.”

Police said they were examining who had access to her account. “We do not have complete information about who was handling her account and who had access to her social media. We are investigating it,” Assistant Commissioner of Police Chhavi Sharma said.

Another final message on her account read, "Sanatan resides in my heart till my last breath" and included references to “agni pariksha”, which investigators said they were also reviewing.

Previous blackmail case and viral video

Authorities also confirmed that Prem Baisa had approached police six months earlier, alleging blackmail by ashram staff members over a doctored video. She reported that she was being asked to pay ₹20 lakh to prevent the clip’s circulation. The video later went viral.

Police had arrested one man in that case – Jogendra, also known as Jogaram – who had installed sound systems at the ashram. Investigators said further steps would depend on the autopsy findings and current inquiry.

Family seeks justice

Baisa’s brother also demanded accountability, "In this difficult time, those of us standing here are here to secure justice for Sadhvi… We just want justice," he told reporters.

Her father, too, has called for a detailed probe into the circumstances surrounding her death.

(With ANI inputs)