• Source:JND

In a high-stakes judicial intervention, a Special POCSO Court in Prayagraj has cracked down on police inaction by ordering a formal FIR against one of India's top spiritual figures, Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. The directive, issued by Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, also names his disciple, Swami Mukundanand Giri, in a case involving allegations of grave sexual exploitation.

The court's decision to bypass the local police's initial hesitation marks a turning point in a controversy that has simmered since the 'Magh Mela'. The Jhunsi police station has now been mandated to register the case and launch an immediate investigation.

Chilling Allegations Of Ashram Abuse

The legal battle was ignited by a petition from Shakumbhari Peethadheeshwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj. His claims are centered on Vidyamath in Varanasi, where he alleges a systemic culture of child abuse was masked by religious tradition.

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The petition claims that minors were coerced into sexual acts under the guise of 'guru seva' (service to the teacher). Brahmachari presented a CD as evidence and highlighted the plight of approximately 20 children who reportedly sought his help to escape the cycle of exploitation.

The Turning Point: Victim Testimonies

What moved the needle for the Special Court were the video-graphed statements of two minor victims recorded on February 13. Judge Chaurasia reviewed these firsthand accounts alongside a police report that failed to provide a convincing argument for why a case hadn't been filed earlier. By prioritizing the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the court signaled that no religious title would serve as a shield against criminal allegations.

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Shankaracharya’s Defiance: "A Political Conspiracy"

Swami Avimukteshwaranand has not taken the allegations lying down. He has dismissed the entire case as a fabricated smear campaign orchestrated by those unsettled by his vocal stance on cow protection and his frequent criticisms of government policies.

"We were insulted, our people were threatened, and when that failed, these disgusting allegations were made," the Swami stated, linking the timing of the case to his recent activism. He maintains that his legal team has already submitted evidence to prove his innocence.

For the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari, the court order is a "divine victory." He has already announced a foot march from Prayagraj to Varanasi’s Vidyamath to publicise the allegations. As the Jhunsipolice prepare to file the FIR, the spiritual heart of Uttar Pradesh braces for a protracted legal and social battle.


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