FIR filed against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in POCSO case

An FIR has been registered against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari over allegations of sexual abuse involving two persons, including a minor, following directions from a local court under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The case was registered late Saturday night at Jhunsi Police Station after the Special Judge (POCSO Act), Prayagraj, ordered the police to act on a complaint filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and others.

According to the FIR, the complainants include Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, a disciple of Swami Rambhadracharya , and two alleged victims, one of whom is a minor. The complaint claims that the accused subjected the victims to repeated sexual assault over the past year at a gurukul and during religious congregations, including the Magh Mela.

The FIR states that the alleged acts were committed under the pretext of “guru seva” and by misusing religious authority. Two to three unidentified persons have also been named in the complaint for their alleged involvement.

The complainants further alleged that they had earlier submitted written representations to Jhunsi police and senior officials, but no action was taken, prompting them to approach the court for relief.

Based on the court’s directive, police registered the case under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated an investigation. There was no immediate confirmation from police regarding arrests in the matter.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand denied the allegations, calling them false. “Those who have committed such acts should be punished. The truth will come out after the case is properly examined,” he told reporters. He also urged the court to ensure an expeditious hearing, saying the matter had drawn public attention.

The accused had recently been in the news following a confrontation with Magh Mela organisers, during which he accused the administration of preventing him from taking a ritual bath on Mauni Amavasya.

Police said further investigation is underway.