Prayagraj: On the directives of a Pocso court, an FIR was lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple Mukudanand Brahmachari on Sunday for the alleged exploitation of two minor boys at his camp over the past year, including the recent Magh Mela and 2025 Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.Pocso Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia had ordered the Jhunsi police station to register a criminal case against Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple on Saturday. The order came on a petition filed by Shankuri Peethadheshwar Ashutosh Maharaj, a plaintiff in the Krishna Janmabhoomi–Shahi Eidgah title dispute.Besides Avimukteshwaranand and Mukundanand Brahmachari, three unidentified persons were named in the complaint.Station officer (Jhunsi) Mahesh Mishra told TOI that the FIR was registered under section 351(3) of BNS (criminal intimidation) and sections 5, 6, 3, 4(2), 16 and 17 of the Pocso Act.Ashutosh Maharaj had alleged that he organised a ‘maha yajna’ at his camp during Magh Mela, when two minor boys approached him and accused Avimukteshwaranand of sexually exploiting them. He said he approached Prayagraj police seeking registration of an FIR, but received no response.He also alleged that Avimukteshwaranand, who proclaims himself to be a Shankaracharya, sexually assaulted two minors at his gurukul in the name of education (shiksha) and service (sewa). He also claimed that both the minors were also sexually assaulted during the 2025 Maha Kumbh. He asserted that the disciples of Avimukteshwaranand used to mount pressure on minors, claiming that it was “guru-sewa” and that they would get his blessings. Ashutosh Maharaj then moved the Pocso court, seeking directions for police action. During proceedings, the court sought and received a response from Avimukteshwaranand. Statements of the complainant and the two minors were recorded in the court. After hearing all sides, the court had reserved its order on Feb 14 and pronounced it on Feb 21.The judge said the allegations disclose serious and specific sexual assault, which prima facie constitute cognisable offences punishable under Pocso Act and BNS.
