NASHIK, June 2: The chief of the Swami Nityanand Ashram near Deolali village, Wamanrao Kondaji Khalkar (71), was killed by unknown assailants on Saturday night, according to a delayed report received today. His body, with the neck slashed and four stab wounds in the stomach, was discovered on Sunday morning by two devotees.

The police found a blood-stained screwdriver in a bucket near the body. Three wills made by Khalkarbaba were also found among his belongings. The deceased is survived by his wife and five sons, who live separately. Police suspect that a property dispute might have led to his murder.

Khalkarbaba ran the `Nityanand Rajkamal Restaurant' in Deolali. Subsequently, he renounced his family and became an ascetic. Later, he bought land and set up the Nityanand Ashram. It is learnt that he had differences with a builder over handing over the ashram land for development.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.