In the case of child sexual abuse against Avimukteshwarananda, an FIR has been filed under the POCSO Act. The Shankaracharya claimed that the person filing the case is a history-sheeter (a person with a criminal record).
An FIR has been filed against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati in a case of sexual abuse of minors. The FIR, registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj, also names Shankaracharya’s disciple Mukundananda. According to Jhunsi Station In-Charge Mahesh Mishra, a case under the POCSO Act has also been registered against 2–3 unidentified individuals.
In fact, following a petition by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, a disciple of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, the POCSO Court in Prayagraj ordered the registration of an FIR on Saturday. Ashutosh Brahmachari presented two children in court and made serious allegations. The children’s statements were recorded on camera in court. The court had reserved its order on February 13.
The Complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari, Had Stated –
“We were wandering from place to place, going to the police, but no one was listening to us. That’s why we came to the temple of justice. Today, I felt that justice is still alive. The court has given us justice today. I want to clearly state that sexual abuse and homosexual crimes were committed against the disciples. The court has confirmed this.”
Meanwhile, Avimukteshwarananda stated that the case was filed by Rambhadracharya’s disciple Mukundananda, whom he called a history-sheeter. He added that they will cooperate with the investigation and that the truth will come out.
Here’s a Summary of FIR in 5 Points
- Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj stated in the FIR that his trust was organizing a Mahayajna of Mata Shakumbhari Devi at the Magh Mela for the liberation of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. During the camp, two minor disciples came forward and made several disclosures in his presence.
- The minor disciples stated, “We are unsafe. We deserve police protection and judicial assistance.” The children stated that Avimukteshwarananda and his associates kept them with them and raped them multiple times. This continued for a year.
- Minor children said they were raped in the fair area during the Mahakumbh 2025. They were also raped during the Magh Mela 2026. Avimukteshwarananda’s disciples pressured the children, saying they were serving their guru and would receive blessings. Avimukteshwarananda would force them into his car and force them to sleep with him.
- Ashutosh Brahmachari claimed that both children, when given the opportunity, came to our camp. Following this, a complaint was filed at Jhunsi Police Station on January 24. On January 25, the complaint was sent via email to the Police Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police for the Magh Mela. On January 27, the complaint was sent by post to the Superintendent of Police of the Magh Mela. After this, I started receiving threats.
- On February 8, I sought the protection of the court. Following the order of the Special POCSO Court, my FIR was registered on February 21, 2026.
Court Acknowledged Serious Allegations Against Shankaracharya and His Disciples
Earlier, the POCSO Court had cited several judgments of the Supreme Court. It stated that filing an FIR is not mandatory in every case. The magistrate has to exercise discretion to decide whether to order the registration of an FIR or proceed with the matter as a complaint. If a police investigation is deemed necessary in a case, it is appropriate to register an FIR and conduct the investigation.
The court stated that the allegations are serious and fall under the category of cognizable offenses, and the POCSO Act applies. A police investigation is necessary to collect evidence. It would not be appropriate to proceed with the matter merely as a private complaint.
The judge ordered that the officer in charge of the concerned police station immediately register an FIR. The investigation should be conducted independently and impartially, in accordance with the law. The provisions of the POCSO Act must be followed. The identity and dignity of the victims must be protected. The investigation report is to be submitted to the court.
Avimukteshwaranand Said that Rambhadracharya Filed the Case Through his Disciple
After the court’s decision, Shankaracharya said that the sexual abuse case will be proven false. He claimed it is a fabricated case. He alleged that Ashutosh Maharaj is a disciple of Rambhadracharya and a history-sheeter. He stated that Ashutosh Maharaj has previously filed false cases against people, intimidates them, and extorts money.
Avimukteshwaranand said: “We have an ongoing verbal dispute with Rambhadracharya. Everyone knows this. He has filed a false case against us by using his disciple. He wants to prevent us from raising our voice for the protection of the cow against the government. That is why all this is happening to us.”
Shankaracharya said: “The court has a procedure, and we will cooperate with it. After that, the truth will come out clearly. We would feel regret if we were guilty of something like this. But we are not. A fabricated case will remain fabricated. That is why we want the investigation to be completed as quickly as possible. The police work under the government.”
“CM Yogi speaks against us while standing in the Assembly, not because he has to, but to send a message to the police about what needs to be done. Regarding the allegations at Sheesh Mahal, he said: ‘This is an open monastery. Around 100–200 people live here. Everyone comes and goes freely.’”
Ashutosh Brahmachari Issues a Challenge to the Deputy CM and Akhilesh Yadav
Ashutosh Brahmachari said: “I want to tell Akhilesh Yadav and the Deputy CM to come with me on a foot march. I am going to Vidyamath, Banaras, where Shankaracharya holds his festivities. I want to show the fifth floor, where his Sheesh Mahal is. That is where his female attendants stay, whose names are also known.”
“From today, my foot march will begin. We will go door-to-door among the people seeking justice. People like these should not be in positions of power; they should be behind bars. That is why we are starting this journey today.”
The Complaint was Filed in Court on February 8
The disciple of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, has alleged sexual abuse of children at Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand’s camp. He filed a case (complaint) on February 8 in the Special POCSO Court in Prayagraj. In the complaint, he stated that children were being abused under the guise of the gurukul.
In response to the court notice, Avimukteshwaranand’s lawyer filed a reply on February 10. At that time, the Shankaracharya told Dainik Bhaskar that “We have submitted all the evidence in court. We have faith in the judiciary. Ever since we started raising our voice for the protection of the cow, the government and certain people have not liked it.”
February 13: Ashutosh Maharaj Came Out of the Court in Tears
On February 13, Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia heard the case. The complainant, Ashutosh Maharaj, represented himself in court. He told the judge that two disciples came to him and shared the stories of sexual abuse they had suffered. He said that an FIR should be registered against the Shankaracharya and an investigation should be conducted. He expressed that he is relying on the judiciary for justice.
The Shankaracharya’s lawyer opposed this, saying that these are only allegations and that they needed some time to prepare for the case. In response, Ashutosh Maharaj told the judge: “I am being threatened with my car being blown up with a bomb. My life is in danger. You should hear the statements of the children who have been victims of sexual abuse.”
The judge cleared the courtroom and then heard the children’s statements. Only the lawyers from both sides remained in the room. After that, the children were brought into the courtroom. They recounted the stories of the abuse they had suffered in front of the judge. All these statements were given inside a closed courtroom. These statements were also recorded on camera.
The judge asked, “What is your relationship with the children?” Special Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia also asked Ashutosh Maharaj some questions, saying, “On what basis have you become their guardian?” Ashutosh Maharaj replied that he came for justice according to the guru tradition. Since the victims did not receive justice anywhere else, the children approached him.
After this, the judge reserved the verdict. A date of February 21 was set to decide whether an FIR would be registered against the Shankaracharya or if the case would be dismissed.
Shankaracharya and Rambhadracharya Came Face to Face Following the Controversy at the Magh Mela
Ashutosh Brahmachari, disciple of Shri Tulsi Peethadheeshwar Jagadguru Rambhadracharya in Chitrakoot, is also a main advocate and party in the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi versus Shahi Masjid Eidgah case. Following the controversy at the Magh Mela, Rambhadracharya and Avimukteshwaranand came face to face.
Ashutosh Maharaj first complained to the Police Commissioner and then went to court. On January 24, six days after Mouni Amavasya, Ashutosh Maharaj filed two complaints with the Prayagraj Police Commissioner against Avimukteshwaranand.
First complaint: Minor children are kept in Avimukteshwaranand’s camp and gurukul. They are made to perform tasks such as personal service, crowd gathering, organizing programs, and carrying the palanquin. There is also a suspicion that the children are being sexually abused.
Even in large events like the Magh Mela, children were made to work. This is a violation of child rights and labor laws. There is also suspicion of illegal weapons in the camp. An investigation should be conducted into assets exceeding declared income and multiple bank accounts. The role of a person named Mukundanand should also be examined.
Second complaint: Ashutosh Maharaj accused Avimukteshwaranand of creating fake letterheads and documents. He stated that in the Magh Mela area, Avimukteshwaranand was presenting himself as the Shankaracharya of Jyotishpeeth. He was having letters and documents made under the name “Jyotishpeeth / Shri Shankaracharya Camp” and sending them to officials.
These letterheads and letters are fake and misleading. They are being used to mislead the administration and the public. The letters bear the date January 24, 2026 (Magh Shukla Panchami). Letters were issued on this date under the name “Shri Shankaracharya Camp.” The authenticity of these documents has been questioned.
How Did Both Victim Children Reach Ashutosh Maharaj?
Ashutosh Maharaj alleged that when the administration did not take any action on his complaints, he filed a case in court on February 8. He stated that, on behalf of his trust, a Mahayagya of Mata Shakumbhari Devi was being conducted at the Magh Mela for the liberation of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. Two disciples, who were minors, came to his camp and made several disclosures in his presence.
They expressed to me their desire to become disciples. They said they felt unsafe and requested police protection and judicial assistance. The children told me that Avimukteshwaranand and his associates had kept them with them and committed sexual abuse multiple times. This continued over the course of a year.
During the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2025, the children were also raped in the fair area. During the Magh Mela in 2026, the two children were raped again. Avimukteshwarananda’s disciples pressured the children, telling them that this was guru service and that they would receive blessings. The children also reported being asked to sleep with Avimukteshwarananda.
Where did Ashutosh Maharaj file his complaints?
Ashutosh Maharaj stated that he filed a complaint at Jhunsi Police Station on January 24. On January 25, he emailed a complaint to the Police Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police, Magh Mela. On January 27, he sent the complaint by post to the Superintendent of Police, Magh Mela. However, no FIR was registered. After this, he started receiving threats, and he then sought the protection of the court.
