Fresh Legal Trouble for Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand as Another Complaint Filed Over Magh Mela Clash
By Rajesh Pandey
Prayagraj: The legal dispute surrounding the recent Magh Mela incidents has deepened after religious leader Ashutosh Ji Maharaj filed a fresh petition on Tuesday against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand and several of his followers, accusing them of attacking a religious procession connected to the Krishna Janmbhoomi Mukti Yatra on January 18, 2026.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Prayagraj, Sandeep Parcha, ordered the petition to be registered as a criminal complaint.
The court issued notices to the accused parties and directed that the statement of the petitioner be formally recorded. The matter has now been listed for the next hearing on March 17, 2026.
Background of the Dispute
The controversy dates back to the recently concluded Magh Mela, where multiple religious camps, sects, and spiritual organisations had gathered along the Sangam banks.
Tensions reportedly escalated during the Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Yatra, a procession organised by followers advocating the liberation of the Krishna Janmabhoomi site in Mathura.
According to the latest complaint, members associated with the Shankaracharya’s camp allegedly obstructed and attacked the procession, leading to chaos and confrontation among devotees.
The incident had already attracted attention from local administration and religious bodies due to the sensitive nature of the issue and the large number of pilgrims present.
Earlier Petition Still Pending
This is not the first case filed by Ashutosh Ji Maharaj against the seer.
Earlier, he had approached the lower court seeking directions for registration of an FIR against Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand over allegations of sexual exploitation of minor boys at a camp during the Magh Mela.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its order on February 13, and a decision in that matter is expected shortly.
What Lies Ahead
With two separate complaints now before the judiciary — one relating to alleged misconduct and another concerning alleged violence — the legal battle surrounding the Shankaracharya has intensified.
The proceedings are likely to draw significant attention from religious groups, legal observers, rs and devotees, especially given the sensitivity of both the Mathura temple issue and events linked to the Magh Mela congregation.
The next key development in the fresh complaint will occur on March 17, when the court records the petitioner’s statement and decides the further course of action.
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