The order of ADJ Rape and POCSO Special Court of Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh has created a huge uproar in religious and social circles. Instructions have been issued to register an FIR against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotish Peeth and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri. The case is said to be related to alleged sexual exploitation of minor children.
Special Judge (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, taking cognizance of the police report, statement of the victims and the evidence presented, has ordered to register a case in Jhunsi police station and start investigation. This decision of the court is being considered an important turning point in the case.
What is the whole matter and how did the controversy start?
This controversy came to light during Magh Mela 2026. Complainant Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj (Chairman of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust and Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar) filed an application under Section 173(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) in Prayagraj District Court on 28 January 2026. It was alleged in the application that two minor children were sexually abused in the ashram/camp of Swami Avimukteshwaranand.
When did the hearing take place and what happened?
On 8 February 2026, a case was filed in the Special POCSO Court and two minor victims were presented in the court. The court issued notice to Swami Avimukteshwarananda. On February 10, Swamy’s side filed a reply calling the allegations false and a conspiracy. During the hearing on February 13, the statements of both the minors were recorded with videography in a closed court room. After this the decision was reserved. The hearing was held again on February 20, in which 25 advocates including senior advocate PN Mishra of the Swami side appeared. An application was also filed on behalf of Mukundanand Giri alleging a false POCSO case. Around February 21, 2026, the court registered an FIR and issued an order for investigation.
What did the court say and what did it order?
Special Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, considering the police report and recorded statements, directed to register an FIR at Jhunsi police station. The court made it clear that a thorough investigation of the matter is necessary and the police will conduct a proper investigation and submit a report.
What allegations did the complainant make?
After the hearing, Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj said that ‘we were wandering from door to door. Were going to the police. We were not being heard. Therefore came to the temple of justice. Today it seemed that justice was still alive. The court has given us justice today. Now I want to say clearly that sexual abuse and homosexual crimes were committed against the disciples. This has been confirmed by the court.
He further said, ‘Now I want to tell Akhilesh Yadav and the Deputy CM, who were shouting. Now I am asking you to come with me on a walking tour. I am going to Vidyamath, Banaras. Where colors are celebrated. Want to show on the fifth floor. Where is his Sheesh Mahal. Her friends live there. Whose name is also known. From today onwards I will travel on foot.
He also said that ‘We will go from door to door among the people for justice. To make Sanatan win, such corrupt people should not hold such positions. These people should be in jail today. That’s why we are starting the journey from today. The court has directly ordered the police to register an FIR. In the hearing on February 13, the lawyer for Swami’s side told the court that these are only allegations and time should be given for defense.
The complainant also told the court that ‘threats are being made to kill me by blowing up my car with a bomb. I may be murdered. You should listen to the statements of children who were victims of sexual abuse. After this the court room was vacated and the statements of the children were recorded only in the presence of the lawyers of both the parties.
Advocate S.K. Manas told that ‘POCSO Judge, Prayagraj has given this decision. In the decision, Ashutosh Pandey (complainant) had given an application that a tradition of sexual exploitation was being carried out in secret by Avimukteshwaranand. This application was presented in the court to register an FIR against him.
The important point is that the court not only gave a direct order but also got the facts alleged by the Police Commissioner Prayagraj investigated. The court has taken cognizance of Avimukteshwaranand and his team members who were secretly carrying on the tradition of this heinous crime. FIR will be registered against Avimukteshwaranand and his 4-5 disciples.
What did Avimukteshwaranand say on the court’s FIR order?
Amidst the controversy related to the post of Shankaracharya in Varanasi, Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati has reacted to the complaint filed in the court. He said that the court has registered the complaint as per its procedure and now the investigation will proceed. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said, “The court has its own procedure. The court has registered the complaint and after registering it will investigate. We have informed the court that this case is fabricated.”
He also raised questions on the complainant and said that a person named Ashutosh is registered as a history-sheeter in Kandhla police station of Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh. According to him, “Many people are victims themselves and say that he (Ashutosh Pandey) has filed false cases against them too.” Swami Avimukteshwaranand further said, ‘The allegations against us have been made by the disciple of a person who calls himself Jagadguru. What does it mean? This means that Sanatan Dharma is not under threat from anyone outside, rather people from within want to destroy Hinduism and the institution named Shankaracharya.”
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