Prayagraj POCSO Court Orders FIR Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Over Alleged sexual Assault of Minor Disciples at Magh Mela
Prayagraj — A special court dealing with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has directed the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and others over allegations of sexual assault on minor disciples during the recent Magh Mela in Prayagraj. The alleged incident has jolted followers of the Sanatan Dharm
The order was passed on Saturday by Additional Sessions Judge and Special Judge (POCSO) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia.
The court instructed the Station House Officer of Jhunsi police station to register the case based on the complaint and materials placed before it, and to conduct an investigation in accordance with the law.
The court specifically emphasised that the probe must be fair, independent, and expeditious, while strictly adhering to provisions of the POCSO Act, including safeguards protecting the identity and dignity of the alleged victims.
Who Has Been Named
The order directs registration of a case against:
- Swami Avimukteshwaranand of Paramhansi Ganga Ashram, Narsinhapur, Madhya Pradesh
- Mukundanand Brahmachari of Sheshnath Ashram, Badrinath Dham, Uttarakhand
- Two to three unidentified individuals
The application seeking the FIR was filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj along with the alleged minor victims.
Allegations Placed Before the Court
According to the court’s order, two minors — identified as victim ‘A’ (around 14 years old) and victim ‘B’ (around 17 years and 6 months old) — allegedly disclosed incidents of penetrative sexual assault that occurred during the Magh Mela 2025–26 in Prayagraj.
The complaint states that the alleged acts of assault, including penetrative assault ook place under the guise of religious service and discipleship.
The applicant alleged that the actions amounted to assault and attracted provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 3, 5, 9, and 17 of the POCSO Act.
The plea was supported by affidavits from the applicant and the alleged victims. It was submitted after, according to the applicants, no FIR was registered despite prior complaints to the Prayagraj Police Commissioner and the local police station.
Inquiry Report Examined
Earlier, on February 7, the court had directed the Police Commissioner of Prayagraj to submit a detailed inquiry report regarding the alleged incident.
The report, submitted by the Additional Commissioner of Police, was placed before the court. It indicates that both minors and independent witnesses were examined during the inquiry. The victims reportedly described incidents of assault, including alleged penetrative sexual assault that occurred on January 18.
The report also states that statements of the minors and witnesses were recorded through audio-video means.
Details related to mobile numbers and location data concerning the date of the alleged incident were also examined as part of the preliminary inquiry.
After reviewing the application, victim statements, witness accounts, and the police inquiry report, the court observed that:
- The allegations are serious in nature and involve claims of sodomy.
- Issues relating to the medical examination of both victims and the accused may arise.
- Collection and recovery of evidence, including statements and other materials, would require a formal investigation.
- Electronic and digital evidence, if available, may need forensic verification through the Forensic Science Laboratory.
- The role and identity of two to three unnamed individuals require investigation.
No Opinion on Merits
While allowing the application and directing registration of the FIR, the court clarified that it has not expressed any opinion on the merits of the case.
“All issues are left open to be decided during investigation,” the order notes, adding that the investigating agency must act independently and strictly in accordance with the law.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand had recently been in the news during the Magh Mela after being reportedly stopped from taking a dip at the Sangam and served a notice by the Prayagraj Mela Authority regarding the use of the title of Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math.
With the court’s directive now in place, the matter moves into the investigation stage, where evidence collection and due legal process will determine the course ahead.
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