An FIR has been registered against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati of Jyotish Peeth and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari following orders from a special POCSO court in Prayagraj, while the case involves serious allegations of sexual assault against two minor boys. The police have invoked Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) along with various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Following the registration of the case at the Jhunsi police station, a police team has reached Varanasi for further investigation and potential questioning of the seer.
Denial of Allegations and Claims of Innocence
' Speaking to the media, he asserted that the charges are part of a larger conspiracy to defame him and the Sanatan Dharma. He clarified that the minors mentioned in the complaint were never part of his Gurukul and that he has no association with them. The seer maintained that his conscience is clear and that the story concocted against him will eventually be proven false, while he emphasized that he remained under public and camera surveillance during the period mentioned in the allegations.
Demand for Independent Investigation and Political Distrust
Expressing a lack of confidence in the Uttar Pradesh police and the BJP-led administration, the Shankaracharya has demanded that the investigation be handed over to the police of a non-BJP ruled state. He alleged that the current government is acting with a sense of political vendetta against him. Despite his distrust in the local law enforcement, he stated that he would fully cooperate with any investigating agency that approaches him. He added that if the police decide to arrest him, he won't resist, as he believes the public is observing the proceedings and the truth will prevail.
Allegations of Conspiracy Against Sanatan Dharma
The Shankaracharya linked the legal action against him to his ongoing movement demanding a total ban on cow slaughter. He described the FIR as a 'malicious attempt' by the government to suppress his voice and the cow protection movement. According to him, certain elements are attempting to destroy Sanatan Dharma from within by masquerading as Hindus.
Legal Framework and Specific Charges Filed
The FIR was registered based on a petition filed by Ashutosh Maharaj, the head of Shankuri Peeth and a litigant in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute. POCSO Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia directed the Jhunsi police to file the criminal case on Saturday. According to Station Officer Mahesh Mishra, the FIR includes Sections 5, 6, 3, 4(2), 16, and 17 of the POCSO Act, along with criminal intimidation charges. The complaint also names three unidentified individuals. The allegations suggest that the alleged abuse took place at a camp last year and involves claims related to the upcoming 2025 Mahakumbh in Prayagraj.
Police Action and Current Status in Varanasi
Within 24 hours of filing the FIR, a team from the Prayagraj police arrived in Varanasi, where the Shankaracharya is currently stationed. Officials stated that the team is currently in the process of gathering evidence and may conduct preliminary questioning, while security has been tightened around the seer's camp. The police are also investigating claims regarding the existence of certain CDs mentioned in the controversy, while the Shankaracharya has challenged the authorities to make any such evidence public if it exists. The legal proceedings are expected to intensify as the police verify the statements of the complainants.