Mental stress, controversy, Akhara friction? ‘IITian Baba’ disappears from Maha Kumbh

New Delhi: Abhey Singh, the “IITian Baba” who rose to prominence at the Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj, has abruptly disappeared from the religious gathering. The former IIT Bombay aerospace engineer-turned-saints exit follows viral videos of his media interactions, leaving his family and fellow sadhus concerned, New18 reported.

Singh, also known as IIT Baba, reportedly left the Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhara on Thursday, according to the News18 report. His parents, including his father, a former head of the Jhajjar Bar Association, arrived at the ashram searching for him but found he had already departed for an undisclosed location.

According to the media reports, he had maintained distance from his family for the last six months, resisting their pleas to return home before appearing in the media as IIT Baba.

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Speaking to the media about his sudden exit from the religious gathering, ashram Sadhus suggested Singh was under increasing mental stress due to the constant media attention and controversies surrounding some of his statements. Some reports even allege that he was using drugs and giving interviews in that condition.

Unable to cope with the pressure, he decided to leave, switching off his phone and cutting contact with devotees and media,  many Sadhus were quoted as saying in the media.

While the exact reason remains unclear, speculation points to friction within the Juna Akhada regarding Singh’s conduct. According to the News 18 report,  the Akhada, a prominent sect of Hindu ascetics, adheres to strict traditions regarding public appearances and media engagement.

Singh’s growing social media popularity reportedly clashed with these norms, as senior saints, traditionally the sole spokespersons, viewed his viral presence as a breach of protocol.