Complainant in Case Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Claims Knife Attack on Train; Seer Calls Allegation “Manufactured”
Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who has lodged a sexual assault complaint against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, has alleged that he was assaulted by an unknown assailant inside a train early on Sunday while travelling from Shamli to Prayagraj.
According to Ashutosh, the assault was allegedly orchestrated by supporters of Avimukteshwaranand in an attempt to intimidate him into withdrawing the case and to stop him from appearing before a court in Prayagraj with evidence related to the matter.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, however, rejected the accusation outright, stating that the incident appeared doubtful and might have been staged.
The attack allegedly took place inside a train coach
Ashutosh stated in a complaint submitted to the Government Railway Police (GRP) in Prayagraj that the incident occurred when he was moving toward the washroom of the train as it was passing through the Kaushambi district.
He alleged that an unidentified individual suddenly attacked him using a sharp weapon, resulting in an injury to his nose.
Following the complaint, the GRP registered a First Information Report (FIR) against an unknown individual under charges related to voluntarily causing physical harm.
Alleged conspiracy after earlier complaint
The complainant further alleged that after he had earlier lodged a case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and some associates, the accused persons allegedly plotted retaliation.
According to him, the alleged conspiracy involved an attempt to mutilate his nose to terrorise him and force him to withdraw the complaint.
Police officials said that in his statement, Ashutosh claimed that the attack occurred on Saturday when the train halted at Sirathu railway station.
At that time, an unidentified man, allegedly acting on the instructions of those named in the complaint, attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon and attempted to sever his nose.
The complainant reportedly suffered several wounds on his nose, face and hands, and bleeding occurred during the assault.
Police said he was taken for a medical examination following the incident. On the advice of doctors, an X-ray examination was also conducted, and the medical report is currently awaited.
Circle Officer of GRP Prayagraj Arun Kumar Pathak said that the case has been registered and an investigation into the matter is underway.
Claim of surveillance and reward announcement
In a video that has circulated widely on social media platforms, Ashutosh Brahmachari is reportedly heard saying that the attacker might have been following him earlier during the journey and that he may have first noticed the person at Ghaziabad railway station.
He also claimed that most passengers inside the train compartment were asleep at the time of the incident early Sunday morning, which is why no one witnessed the attack.
Ashutosh further alleged that the attacker attempted to cut off his nose because a reward of ₹21 lakh had allegedly been announced by a follower of Swami Avimukteshwaranand for carrying out such an act.
According to him, the purpose behind the alleged attack was to compel him to withdraw the case and prevent him from presenting crucial evidence before the court in Prayagraj.
He said he had travelled to the city to submit documents and electronic evidence, including a pen drive containing material related to the case, before the court.
Avimukteshwaranand rejects the allegation
In another video circulating online, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati questioned the authenticity of the claims made by the complainant.
He remarked that incidents of violent assault inside trains are relatively uncommon and expressed surprise that none of the passengers in the coach reportedly saw or intervened during the alleged attack.
The seer also referred to a statement reportedly given by an attendant of the train, who claimed that Ashutosh Brahmachari appeared normal when he went into the washroom and only started making accusations after coming out.
He added that reservation records could easily establish how many passengers were present in the coach at that time.
Avimukteshwaranand further stated that if the alleged assault actually occurred, the authorities must immediately identify and apprehend those responsible. He also said the government should provide strong security to the complainant, even suggesting that SPG-level protection could be provided if required.
March for cow protection continues.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati is presently undertaking a march that began in Varanasi on March 7 and is expected to reach Lucknow on March 11. The march is part of a campaign advocating for cow protection.
The religious leader launched the march after the expiry of the 40-day deadline he had earlier set for the government to declare the cow as “Rajya Mata” and impose a complete ban on cow slaughter in Uttar Pradesh.
He said the entire country was observing the progress of his yatra and claimed that certain groups might be attempting to divert attention away from the march by creating controversies.
Responding to reports that a reward of ₹21 lakh had been declared for cutting off the complainant’s nose, Avimukteshwaranand said he came to know about the claim only through media coverage.
If such a statement had been made by someone, he suggested, it might have been expressed in a moment of anger or emotional agitation.
Meanwhile, police authorities have begun examining the complaint and medical reports to determine the exact circumstances of the alleged attack.
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