A special POCSO court in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, ordered the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the head of Jyotish Peeth, and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri on Saturday, February 21, 2026, following allegations of sexual exploitation.
The order, issued by ADJ (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, directs police to register the FIR at the Jhunsi police station and launch a detailed investigation into claims of sexual abuse involving 20 children within the ashram, according to news agency ANI.
The application seeking the FIR was filed under Section 173(4) by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who requested strict action in the matter.
Reacting to the court’s decision, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati stated, “Yes, it is appropriate. Only when a case is registered will the subsequent process of investigation and recording of testimony be completed. Only then will the truth of the false case filed against us come before everyone, and those responsible for doing this can be punished. It is necessary. We would only say that the court should proceed with this at a faster pace without taking too much time, as many people are watching this matter. Testimony should be recorded and a decision taken as soon as possible. What is wrong will remain wrong, and the false case that has been filed will ultimately be proven false.”
The court order comes amidst a period of controversy surrounding the seer. Last month, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati claimed he was prevented from participating in a ritual dip at the Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, prompting an 11-day sit-in protest. He later stated in Varanasi that he would attempt the ritual dip during the Magh Mela next year.
The incident at the Magh Mela involved officials requesting the seer to dismount from a palanquin and proceed on foot due to crowd control concerns. The Mela administration alleged that supporters of Swami Avimukteshwaranand broke a barricade on a pontoon bridge, disrupting crowd management. Following the incident, the seer protested and demanded an apology.
The administration also questioned the validity of Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s title as Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, citing a civil appeal pending before the Supreme Court. The controversy led to the resignations of Prashant Kumar Singh, a deputy commissioner in the Uttar Pradesh GST department, and Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri, both citing moral reasons. The Congress party subsequently announced a campaign against what they perceived as an insult to the seer, calling for the state governor to seize action.
Statements from two minor complainants were recorded in court via videography on February 13, leading the court to formally acknowledge the police report and reserve its judgment.
