UP Court Orders FIR Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Over Sexual Exploitation Charges

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 18:19 IST

ADJ (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia ordered the FIR registration and a detailed investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation of 20 children in his ashram.

A POCSO court in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Saturday ordered the registration of an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotish Peeth and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri in connection with a sexual exploitation case.

ADJ (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia ordered the FIR registration and a detailed investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation of 20 children in his ashram. A case will now be registered at Jhunsi police station after the court’s order, according to news agency ANI.

The application under Section 173(4) was filed by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, seeking registration of an FIR and strict action against Swami Avimukteshwaranand over allegations of sexual exploitation.

Ashutosh Brahmachari had filed a complaint in a special POCSO Court on February 8, alleging that the Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya has sexually abused children in his ashram, according to reports. The court heard the matter on February 13, in which the statements of two minor children were recorded.

During the hearing, Brahmachari submitted a purported CD as evidence of sexual abuse inside the ashram and alleged that at least 20 affected children had approached him, underscoring a pattern of exploitation hidden behind religious facades.

However, Swami Avimukteshwaranand denied the allegations, claiming that “some people" are targeting him for speaking against the government and raising his voice for the protection of the cows. He stated that evidence has already been submitted in court and asserted that the truth must prevail.

Meanwhile, Ashutosh Brahmachari hailed the verdict as divine justice, vowing to lead a foot march from Prayagraj to Vidyamath Varanasi to expose the truth to the masses.

The development follows ongoing controversy involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. Last month, the seer alleged that he was stopped from taking a ceremonial dip at the Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, prompting him to stage an 11-day sit-in protest, according to the Times of India.

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