Shankaracharya Vehemently Denies Sexual Exploitation Allegations, Questions FIR Basis
In a forceful rebuttal on Monday, Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati categorically dismissed allegations of sexual exploitation leveled against him and his camp. The religious leader asserted that the two minor boys at the center of the controversy never entered his Gurukul or studied there, thereby severing any connection to the alleged incidents.
"They Never Came Here": Shankaracharya Challenges Allegations
Swami Avimukteshwaranand stated emphatically, "Those boys never entered our Gurukul, never studied, and we have nothing to do with them. They are students of a school in Hardoi, as evidenced by their marksheets submitted in the lawsuit. So, when they never came here, and have nothing to do with this place, how can anyone do anything to them?"
The Shankaracharya further accused certain individuals of deliberately spreading confusion and attempting to harm Hindu institutions from within. He expressed full willingness to cooperate with law enforcement, declaring, "Even if the police take action to arrest us, we won't oppose them. We will cooperate. The public is watching everything... The lies are eventually exposed."
FIR Details and Legal Framework
The statements came just one day after Swami Avimukteshwaranand, his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari, and three unidentified individuals were formally booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj following specific directions from Special Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia.
The complaint originated from a petition filed by Shankuri Peethadheshwar Ashutosh Maharaj, who is also a plaintiff in the ongoing Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Eidgah dispute. The FIR invokes multiple sections of the POCSO Act, specifically:
- Sections 3, 4(2), 6, 16, 17, and 51 of the POCSO Act
- Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023
The allegations specifically claim sexual exploitation of two minor boys at the Shankaracharya's camp during the 2025 Magh Mela and Maha Kumbh religious gatherings.
Police Investigation and Forensic Examination
Prayagraj police officials have confirmed the registration of the FIR and indicated that the investigation will proceed with thoroughness. The investigative process will include collection and forensic examination of electronic and digital evidence, suggesting a comprehensive approach to verifying the claims. Currently, the case remains in the preliminary investigation phase.
Previous Dismissals and Counter-Allegations
Earlier, on Saturday, Swami Avimukteshwaranand had already dismissed the POCSO allegations as "fabricated." His legal team had formally communicated this position to the court on the same day. In an interview with news agency ANI, the religious leader made additional counter-allegations against the complainant.
He claimed that Ashutosh Brahmachari has a documented history of filing false cases against others and is officially registered as a history-sheeter at the Kandhla police station in Uttar Pradesh's Shamli district. The Shankaracharya questioned the credibility of the evidence presented, noting, "The story will be proven false, if not today, then tomorrow, if not tomorrow, then the day after. We were within the reach of your cameras. Everything around our camp is captured by CCTV… And yet, confusion is being spread claiming, ‘There’s a CD.’ So why isn’t it being made public?"
This developing case highlights significant tensions within religious institutions and raises important questions about legal accountability, evidentiary standards, and the protection of minors. As investigations continue, all parties await further clarity on the substantiation of these serious allegations.
