Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda to face FIR over molestation claims, POCSO Act invoked

New Delhi: The ADJ Rape and POCSO Special Court in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, has ordered the registration of an FIR against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri in connection with allegations of sexual abuse. ADJ (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia directed the police to register an FIR and conduct a proper investigation. Following the court's order, a case will be registered at the Jhunsi police station.

What is the issue?

According to reports, the application was filed by Shakumbhari Peethadheeshwar Ashutosh Brahmachari under Section 173(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. The allegation is that minor children were sexually abused at the ashram in question. The applicant has also claimed to have presented a CD as alleged evidence in court. On February 13th, the statements of the two minors who made the allegations were recorded in court, accompanied by videography. The court also took cognizance of the police report and reserved its decision after the hearing. Now, after the order is issued, legal action will proceed in the case.

Ashutosh Brahmachari has stated that he has received justice from the court and is planning to present the facts to the public by walking from Prayagraj to Vidya Math in Varanasi. It is noteworthy that this case is being registered on court orders, and the veracity of the allegations will only be clear after a police investigation.

What did the petitioner say?

Ashutosh Brahmachari, who filed the petition in court, claims that he has also provided the court with a CD of the alleged incidents. He further stated that he received justice and will undertake a Sanatan Yatra on foot from Prayagraj to Vidya Math in Varanasi. It should be noted that Ashutosh Brahmachari had alleged that a minor and an adult child came to him during the Magh Mela. Both of them had made serious allegations of rape against Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati. The allegations were that Avimukteshwarananda pressured these children into having sexual relations in the name of serving his guru.