POCSO Special Court Prayagraj Directs FIR Against Jyotish Peeth Head Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati

Tension mounted at Shri Vidyamath in Kedarghat as a six-member team from Jhunsi Police Station prepared to question Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati over allegations of sexual exploitation. The team, led by Station In-Charge Mahesh Mishra, is acting on court directions as part of an ongoing investigation that has stirred controversy within religious and legal circles alike.

Swami Asserts Innocence

Before the police arrival, Swami Avimukteshwaranand addressed the media, projecting confidence and denying all accusations. Calling the case "false," he said he would cooperate fully with investigators and insisted there was no reason for arrest. "We are not running away. We will not oppose the police. Truth will prevail," he remarked, framing the legal process as a test of faith and justice.

Court-Ordered FIR

The case took a serious turn after the ADJ Rape and POCSO Special Court Prayagraj directed police to register an FIR against the Swami and his disciple, Swami Mukundanand Giri. The order followed a complaint filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari, chairman of the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Mukti Nirman Trust.

The complaint alleges that minors were exploited under the guise of 'guru seva' at Vidyamath. The court reportedly examined video testimonies of two minor victims before instructing police to initiate formal proceedings.

Controversy During Magh Mela

The allegations surfaced during the Magh Mela period, amplifying public attention and raising questions about oversight within influential ashrams. While supporters of the Swami have dismissed the claims as an attempt to malign him, the court's directive has intensified scrutiny and widened the debate around accountability in religious institutions