The Uttar Pradesh Police have intensified their investigation after an FIR was registered against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirpeeth, over allegations of child sexual abuse under the POCSO Act.
A police team from Prayagraj reached Varanasi on Monday and may question the seer if required. Officials have not ruled out further action, including possible arrest, depending on the course of the investigation.
The FIR was lodged at Jhunsi police station following directions from a Special POCSO Court in Prayagraj. The case also names his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari and two to three unidentified persons. Police said the complaint contains serious allegations of sexual offences involving minors and relates to incidents allegedly taking place between January 13, 2025 and February 15, 2026.
Court Orders FIR After Alleged Police Inaction
The matter reached the court after complainant Shakumbhari Peethadheeshwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj moved an application alleging that the police had not acted on his earlier complaint. The complaint was first submitted on January 24 to the Prayagraj Police Commissioner.
Later, on February 8, the complainant approached the Special POCSO Court. On February 13, two children were produced before the court, and their statements were recorded in camera on February 21. Acting on the court’s direction, the police formally registered the FIR the same night.
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The Special Judge under the POCSO Act accepted the plea seeking registration of a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to sexual offences, as well as provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
On Sunday, police officials also visited the Magh Mela area along with the complainant to inspect the site where the Shankaracharya’s camp had been set up. Officers surveyed the entry and exit routes and prepared a layout map of the location as part of the investigation.
Shankaracharya Denies Allegations, Says Ready to Face Arrest
Responding to the FIR, Swami Avimukteshwaranand rejected the allegations and described them as “fabricated.” Speaking to reporters at his Varanasi ashram after meeting his lawyers, he said he would fully cooperate with the probe.
“I am not running anywhere. I will face the police,” he said. “The students who have alleged sexual abuse are not from my gurukul.”
He further claimed that the boys mentioned in the complaint had never studied at his ashram. “Those boys never entered our Gurukul, never studied here, and we have nothing to do with them. They are students of a school in Hardoi, as shown by their marksheets submitted in the case. When they never came here, how can anyone do anything to them?” he said.
The seer also criticised the state government and questioned the impartiality of the investigation. “The public does not trust the UP Police. The investigation should be handed over to the police of a state where the BJP is not in power,” he remarked.
He added that he would not obstruct the probe. “We will not oppose the police in any way. We will cooperate with them. Whatever the police do, the public is watching everything,” he said.
In a philosophical remark, he said, “For us there are three courts. One is the lower court which is the public. The people are watching everything and they will give the verdict. The second is our conscience. We know in our hearts whether we are wrong or not. And the third is God, the Supreme Court. He is also watching who is right and who is wrong. We have a clean chit from all three courts.”
Political Reactions and Emotional Scenes
The FIR has also triggered political reactions. Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai said that making such allegations against a Shankaracharya would prove costly for the BJP. He described it as the “last nail in the coffin” for the ruling party and claimed that the religious leader had always spoken the truth.
Emotional scenes were witnessed at the ashram as well. A woman supporter broke down in tears before the seer. Responding to her, he said, “One cries when one’s guru turns out to be wrong. There is no need to weep over someone’s conspiracy.”
The woman gestured in denial and said, “Bhagwati is with you.” The Shankaracharya replied, “Governments want such Shankaracharyas who engage in sycophancy and say what the government wants. But we cannot become those who merely comply.”
Legal Options and Next Steps
Reports said the seer may approach the Allahabad High Court seeking protection from arrest. His legal team held discussions on Monday morning to consider possible remedies.
Meanwhile, police officials have confirmed that the FIR was registered strictly in compliance with the court’s order and that the investigation will proceed according to law.
