Prayagraj POCSO Court Directs Police to File FIR Against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati
In a significant development, a special court handling cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in Prayagraj has issued a directive to the police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple, Swami Mukundanand Giri. The order, delivered on Saturday by ADJ (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, mandates a thorough investigation into allegations of sexual exploitation linked to the religious figures.
Court Mandates Detailed Probe Following Application
The court's instruction stems from an application filed under Section 173(4) of the Criminal Procedure Code by Shakumbhari Peethadhishwar Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, who sought stringent legal action in the matter. According to reports from news agency ANI, the FIR is to be officially registered at the Jhunsi police station in compliance with the judicial order, paving the way for a comprehensive inquiry into the serious accusations.
Background of Controversies Surrounding the Seer
This legal move unfolds against a backdrop of heightened controversy involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. Last month, the seer claimed he was obstructed from performing a ritual bath at the Sangam during the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, leading him to stage an 11-day sit-in protest. In statements to reporters in Varanasi, he expressed frustration, stating, "When I sat there for 11 days, no official asked me to take a dip. Now it is too late. I will go to the Magh Mela next year and take a respectful bath."
The incident traces back to January 18, when Swami Avimukteshwaranand, traveling in a palanquin to the Sangam for Mauni Amavasya, was asked by officials to dismount and proceed on foot due to heavy crowds. The Mela administration alleged that his supporters breached a barricade on a pontoon bridge, causing disruptions in crowd management. Following this, the seer protested outside the Shankaracharya camp, demanding an apology and a dignified escort for the ritual bath.
Political and Administrative Repercussions
The controversy has triggered notable political and administrative reactions. Prashant Kumar Singh, a deputy commissioner in the Uttar Pradesh GST department, resigned citing moral reasons, while Bareilly city magistrate Alankar Agnihotri also stepped down, highlighting concerns over the perceived insult to the seer. Additionally, the Congress party announced a campaign against the alleged disrespect, urging the state governor to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.
In a separate development, the administration issued a notice questioning Swami Avimukteshwaranand's use of the title of Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, referencing a civil appeal pending before the Supreme Court. The seer had previously urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to halt beef exports from the state and declare the cow as 'Rajya Mata', framing it as a test of the government's commitment as a "Hindu sympathiser."
As the legal process advances with the FIR registration, the case adds a new layer to the ongoing disputes surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand, underscoring the intersection of religious, legal, and political dynamics in Uttar Pradesh.
