Published on: 22 Feb, 2026 17:14 IST
A special POCSO court in Prayagraj has directed Uttar Pradesh police to register an FIR against prominent seer Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his aide Mukundanand Giri. The order, issued on February 21, 2026, by Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, comes in response to serious allegations of sexual exploitation involving two minor boys aged 14 and 17 at the accused’s ashram.
The case stems from a plea filed by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who approached the court after police failed to act on prior written complaints submitted to the Prayagraj Police Commissioner and local authorities. According to the petition, the alleged incidents occurred around January 18, 2026, during the ongoing Magh Mela festivities in Prayagraj, where the minors—referred to as ‘batuks’ in the ashram setting—were reportedly forced into abusive acts under the pretext of ‘guru seva’ and religious guidance.
The court examined sworn affidavits from the victims and noted that an initial enquiry by the Police Commissioner had recorded their statements confirming the abuse. Emphasizing strict compliance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the judge instructed authorities to launch a fair, independent investigation while safeguarding the victims’ identity and dignity throughout the process.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who identifies as the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath (Jyotish Peeth) in Uttarakhand, has faced multiple controversies in recent times, including disputes over his use of the Shankaracharya title (which the Supreme Court has restricted in certain contexts) and clashes with local administration during the Magh Mela over crowd management issues. He has categorically denied the latest charges, describing them as fabricated or motivated.
The FIR is now expected to be lodged at the relevant police station (Jhunsi, as per some reports), triggering a formal probe under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions related to sexual offences.
This development highlights the judiciary’s role in ensuring prompt action in sensitive child protection matters, even when initial police response is delayed. The matter remains under active judicial oversight in Prayagraj.