Swami Mahesh Anand alias Govind Reddy of the Chinmayanand Ashram on Saki-Vihar road near Powai lake was found in a pool of blood at 6 am on Friday by his servant Jairam Singh when the latter entered the room to clean up, the police said. Singh immediately reported the matter to the Saki Naka police station under whose jurisdiction the incident took place.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the swami was stabbed in the stomach with a kitchen knife. The police said Swami Mahesh Anand was last seen at 11.30 pm when he retired to his room after dinner on Thursday. While the police were told that the swami had locked the door from inside before going to sleep, this morning the police found the back door of the room open.

The attackers had also broken open the cupboard and scattered the contents on to thefloor, the police informed, adding that some valuables and cash were found missing. ``The exact worth of the loot is yet to be ascertained. Investigations are still on,'' remarked a police officer. A local resident said the ashram was deserted after nightfall and it was quite possible some anti-social elements could have sneaked into the campus to rob the swami. A police officer said besides his religious pursuits the swami was also in charge of the ashram's store room. ``The killers probably had information that he had cash with him,'' he added.

Located on a picturesque hillock abutting Powai lake, the ashram is often frequented by anti-social elements after darkness. Prostitution and looting is common after nightfall in the adjoining lake area, according to the police.