Indore-based religious leader Bhaiyyuji Maharaj committed suicide at his home on Tuesday, PTI reported. Maharaj was taken to the Bombay Hospital in Indore after he shot himself, but he succumbed to his injuries.

The doctors at Bombay Hospital have confirmed his death, The Times of India reported. Indore Deputy Inspector General Harinarayanchari Mishra told The Indian Express that a family dispute could be the reason for his suicide.

Later, Additional Director General of Police (Indore Range) Ajay Sharma said Maharaj shot himself on the right side of his head in a room that was bolted from inside. Sharma said a notepad was found in the room, on which it was written, “Somebody should be there to handle duties of family, I am leaving, too much stressed out, fed up.” Sharma added that people close to Maharaj claimed the note was written by him, but the police would verify it with an expert’s help.

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In April, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had accorded minister of state status to five religious leaders, including Maharaj. He had, however, declined the offer.

Congress demands CBI inquiry

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh unit of the Congress demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into Maharaj’s death, PTI reported. The Congress claimed that he was under pressure to work for the Bharatiya Janata Party government in the state.

“Bhayyuji Maharaj had refused to accept the ministerial rank granted by the Madhya Pradesh government,” state Congress media department chief Manak Agarwal said. “I had spoken to him some days back and Maharaj had told me that he was under pressure from the BJP government to work for them.”