POCSO Court Orders FIR Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand

New Delhi, February 26, 2026: A special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court in Prayagraj has directed the Uttar Pradesh police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his aide, Mukundanand Giri. The order, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, follows a petition filed by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj.

The court’s decision was prompted by allegations that the religious leader sexually exploited two minor boys, aged 14 and 17, under the guise of “Guru Seva” (service to the teacher).

The Investigation and Evidence

The case gained momentum after the court examined an inquiry report submitted by the Additional Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj. Key highlights of the evidence include:

• Victim Statements: The two minors recorded their statements via videography, categorically narrating incidents of penetrative sexual assault.
• Medical Confirmation: Preliminary reports and the police inquiry have reportedly corroborated the nature of the physical abuse, providing the legal basis for the court to order the FIR.
• Digital Evidence: The complainant allegedly submitted a CD containing evidence to the court, and police are currently conducting forensic examinations of mobile locations and electronic data related to the dates of the alleged incidents (January 18, 2026).
• Locus of Incidents: The abuse is alleged to have occurred at the seer’s ashram and during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj.

Legal Charges and Looming Arrest

Following the court order, the Jhunsi Police Station has formally booked Swami Avimukteshwaranand under several stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act:

• BNS Sections: 69, 74, 75, 76, 79, and 109 (dealing with sexual assault and harassment).
• POCSO Sections: 3, 5, 9, and 17 (pertaining to penetrative sexual assault and abetment).

The “Sword of Arrest”: With the FIR registered, Uttar Pradesh police teams have intensified their investigation. Reports indicate that a police team recently arrived at the seer’s residence in Varanasi. While no immediate arrest was made at that moment, the police have indicated that custodial interrogation may be necessary as the probe progresses.

Response from Swami Avimukteshwaranand

The religious leader has vehemently denied all charges, labeling them a “fabricated conspiracy” by the state government and certain individuals to malign the institution of the Shankaracharya.

“The truth will come out after the investigation. The boys mentioned in the complaint never entered our Gurukul; they have no connection to us. This is a tactic to divert attention from our demand to ban cow slaughter.” — Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati

He further argued that the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari, is a “history-sheeter” with a record of filing false cases. Despite his defiance, the Swami has moved the Allahabad High Court seeking anticipatory bail to prevent his arrest.

Context: A String of Controversies

This legal battle unfolds against a backdrop of existing tension between Swami Avimukteshwaranand and the Uttar Pradesh administration.

1. Magh Mela Confrontation: In January 2026, the Swami held an 11-day sit-in protest after being allegedly prevented from taking a ritual dip at the Sangam.
2. Title Dispute: The seer’s claim to the title of Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth remains legally contested, with a Supreme Court stay on his formal coronation still in effect.

Conclusion

As the Allahabad High Court prepares to hear the anticipatory bail plea, the eyes of the nation remain on Prayagraj. The confirmation of abuse in the medical and inquiry reports has placed the seer in a precarious legal position, making this one of the most high-profile POCSO cases involving a religious figure in recent years.