3 months ago
1
A peculiar tribunal successful Prayagraj connected Saturday (February 21, 2026) ordered the Uttar Pradesh constabulary to lodge a archetypal accusation study (FIR) against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and 1 of his aides Mukundanand Giri, successful transportation with allegations that helium sexually exploited 2 insignificant children, aged 14 and 17 years, astatine his ashram.
Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, who presides implicit a tribunal nether the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, directed constabulary to behaviour a just and autarkic probe successful compliance with the provisions of the Act, and to besides support the individuality and dignity of the victims.
The bid came portion proceeding a plea by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, seeking registration of an FIR against the spiritual person who was accused of forcing himself connected insignificant children astatine the ashram nether the pretext of ‘guru seva’.
Sexual maltreatment during Magh Mela
The tribunal noted that the applicant’s allegations are supported by sworn affidavits and were examined successful an archetypal enquiry by the Prayagraj Police Commissioner. During this enquiry, some victims told the constabulary that they were sexually abused by the accused connected oregon astir January 18, 2026, during the Magh Mela successful Prayagraj. It is alleged that Mr. Saraswati committed these acts portion pretending to supply spiritual work and guidance arsenic successful a narration betwixt a guru and his disciple.
The Magh Mela is an yearly spiritual just successful which devotees assemble for a beatified dip astatine Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. Hundreds of seers and spiritual leaders acceptable up their camps astatine Sangam during that clip and are thronged by millions of devotees.
The applicant said that complaints were made to the constabulary authorities, including written complaints to the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj, and the section Station House Officer. However, nary FIR was registered, forcing the applicant to attack the Court for relief.
Political divide
Mr. Saraswati, who identifies himself arsenic the Shankaracharya of the Uttarakhand-based Jyotirmath monastery, has been embroiled successful respective controversies successful the past.
Most recently, helium got into a confrontation with the Prayagraj territory medication implicit alleged assaults connected his followers connected the time of Mauni Amavasya snan during the Magh Mela. This fell connected January 18, which is besides the day of his alleged maltreatment of the insignificant children. Mr. Saraswati was served with 2 notices by the mela authorities, which runs the fair. The archetypal questioned wherefore helium utilized the ‘Shankaracharya’ rubric which was barred by the apical court, portion the 2nd accused him of breaking barriers and creating instrumentality and bid problems during the fair, causing a “stampede-like situation”.
The blasted crippled escalated betwixt the Mela authorities and Mr. Saraswati, with governmental parties similar the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, and respective spiritual leaders, coming retired successful unfastened enactment of Mr. Saraswati. However, helium was openly criticised by U.P. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
