A sexual exploitation case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against Jyotish Peeth (Jyotirmath) Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has sparked strong reactions from religious figures, with the accused seer and his associates rejecting the allegations and calling for an impartial investigation.
The FIR was registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj following directions from a local court. Along with the Shankaracharya, his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari and two to three unidentified individuals have also been named in the case. Police invoked relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita as well as multiple sections of the POCSO Act.
According to the complaint, two disciples — including one minor — alleged sexual exploitation between January 13, 2025, and February 15, 2026. The FIR states that the alleged incidents occurred during religious camps organised around the 2025 Kumbh Mela and the 2026 Magh Mela in Prayagraj, both within camp premises and inside a vehicle parked outside during the Magh Mela period.
Responding to the allegations while speaking in Varanasi, Swami Avimukteshwaranand denied the charges, describing the case as a fabricated conspiracy intended to damage his reputation. He expressed distrust in a routine police inquiry and demanded a high-level investigation, while stating that he would cooperate fully with authorities. The seer also claimed that differing affidavits submitted by the complainant before the court indicated inconsistencies in the accusations and suggested the controversy was linked to attempts to obstruct his religious outreach initiatives and campaigns related to cow protection.
Mukundanand Brahmachari also rejected the allegations, calling them baseless and unfounded. He described the Shankaracharya as a person of integrity and alleged that the complainant was not associated with any recognised religious institution. Mukundanand further claimed that the complainant had a prior criminal record and referred to an earlier complaint filed against him and the seer, asserting that the allegations would not withstand scrutiny once investigated. He said the accused would cooperate fully with investigators and expressed confidence that the judicial process would establish the truth.
Ayodhya priest Mahant Raju Das called for a fair and thorough probe into the matter, stating that allegations of such seriousness must be investigated impartially. He said that if wrongdoing were proven, appropriate punishment should follow, while emphasising the need for religious leaders to maintain public trust.
Police officials confirmed that statements from all concerned parties will be recorded as part of the ongoing investigation. No arrests have been made so far, and authorities said further action will depend on evidence gathered during the probe. The case has drawn significant attention within religious and political circles as the investigation continues.
