Police Arrive in Varanasi to Arrest Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand

February 23, 2026 — In a dramatic escalation of legal proceedings that has sent ripples through India’s religious and political landscape, a contingent of the Uttar Pradesh Police arrived at the Vidya Math ashram in Varanasi today to arrest Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati.

The arrest follows a directive from a Special POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) court in Prayagraj, which recently ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the seer and his aide, Mukundanand Giri, over allegations of sexual exploitation involving minor disciples.

The Allegations and Legal Action

The case stems from a complaint filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who alleged that two minor boys, aged 14 and 17, were subjected to repeated sexual abuse at the seer’s ashram. According to the FIR:

• The Charges: The case is registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, including charges related to sexual assault and criminal intimidation.
• Timeline: The alleged incidents occurred between January 2025 and February 2026, specifically during religious camps organized at the 2025 Maha Kumbh and the 2026 Magh Mela in Prayagraj.
• The Pretext: The complainant claimed the victims were coerced into these acts under the guise of “Guru Seva” (service to the teacher).

The Special Court Judge, Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, ordered the FIR after the local police initially declined to register the case. The court noted that the victims’ statements and prima facie evidence warranted a thorough investigation.

“I Have a Clean Chit from God”: Shankaracharya Reacts

As the police reached his residence in Varanasi, Swami Avimukteshwaranand appeared calm, addressing the media before any formal detention. He dismissed the allegations as a “manufactured conspiracy” designed to tarnish his reputation and obstruct his religious campaigns, including his vocal advocacy for cow protection.

“I will not oppose the police; I will cooperate fully,” the Shankaracharya stated. “For me, there are three courts: the public, my own conscience, and God. I have a clean chit from all three. The truth will eventually prevail.”

His legal team has pointed out that the complainant is a “history-sheeter” with a record of filing false cases, suggesting that the timing of these allegations is politically motivated.

A Backdrop of Friction

This legal battle comes on the heels of a month-long standoff between the seer and the Uttar Pradesh administration.

• Magh Mela Dispute: In January 2026, the seer staged an 11-day protest after being stopped from taking a ritual dip at the Sangam on Mauni Amavasya while traveling in a palanquin.
• Title Controversy: The administration recently served him a notice questioning his use of the “Shankaracharya” title, citing a sub-judice matter in the Supreme Court regarding his coronation at the Jyotish Peeth.

Political and Religious Fallout

The move has split the religious community. While some leaders, like Mahant Raju Das of Ayodhya, have called for an impartial probe stating “no one is above the law,” others view the arrest as a direct attack on the institution of the Shankaracharya.

Opposition leaders from the Congress and Samajwadi Party have previously criticized the state government’s handling of the seer, accusing the administration of “arrogance” and “insulting Sanatan traditions.”

Next Steps: The Uttar Pradesh Police are expected to produce Swami Avimukteshwaranand before the court in Prayagraj for further proceedings. The investigation into the digital evidence (a CD submitted by the complainant) is currently underway.