A special POCSO court in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday allowed an application to register an FIR in the alleged sexual assault and molestation of minor children in Prayagraj Magh Mela 2025-26, where allegations were made against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and some of his disciples.
According to the allegations, Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peth and some of his disciples allegedly sexually abused minors. The court had directed the SHO, Jhunsi Police Station, Prayagraj, to register an FIR immediately in the case.
Avimukteshwarananda made headlines for his confrontation with Magh Mela organizers in Prayagraj. He accused the administration of preventing him from bathing in Mauni Amavasya.
The complaint under Section 173(4) was filed by Shakumbhari Pithadheshwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who sought registration of the FIR and strict action in the matter.
The Brahmachari, also associated with the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust, filed the application on January 28 under Section 173(4) after the Jhunsi police failed to register the case. He alleged that minor children were being exploited at Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s ashram, and claimed to have submitted a CD containing evidence to the court, ANI reported.
The statements of two minor complainants were recorded in court via video on February 13, and the court took formal cognizance of the police report. The report added that after recording these statements and examining the report, the court reserved its ruling.
Shankaracharya calls the case “fabricated”
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Saturday denied the allegations against him under the POCSO Act, terming them “fabricated”. He also noted that his legal team had already informed the court of this situation on Saturday.
Speaking to ANI, the religious leader alleged that the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari, has a history of filing false cases against others and is registered with Kandhla police station in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh.
“The court has its own procedures. The court has registered the complaint, and after registering it, it will investigate it… We informed the court that this case is fabricated… The person named Ashutosh (the complainant) is registered as a historical record with Kandhla police station in Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. Many people are victims themselves and say that he (Ashutosh Pandey) has filed false cases against them as well,” Swami Avimukteswaranand said.
He also claimed that “Sanatan Dharma” is under threat from individuals within the religion who seek to destroy the Hindu religion and the institution of Shankaracharya.
“The accusation we made came from a disciple of someone who calls himself Jagadguru. What does this mean? It means that Sanatan Dharma is not under threat from anyone outside, but rather it is those people from within who want to destroy the Hindu religion, who want to destroy the institution called Shankaracharya…” Swami Avimukteswaranand added.
