The Uttar Pradesh Police late Saturday night (February 21) registered an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Mukundanand Brahmachari, and others. Police added provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The case relates to alleged sexual abuse of minors linked to the recent Magh Mela.
Jhunsi Police Station, Prayagraj, registered the FIR at 23:37 hours. The FIR came a few hours after a Special POCSO Court in Prayagraj directed the Station House Officer (SHO) to register the case “forthwith.”
Special Court Order Under BNSS
Additional Sessions Judge/Special Judge (POCSO Act), Prayagraj, Vinod Kumar Chaurasia passed the direction. The court acted on an application under Section 173(4) of the BNSS. Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj filed the application.
Ashutosh Maharaj said local police did not act on earlier written complaints. He stated that he addressed complaints to the SHO and the Commissioner of Police.
Two Minors Named; Time Period Mentioned
The application referred to two minors. Victim ‘A’ is about 14 years old. Victim ‘B’ is about 17 years and 6 months old. The application alleged sexual abuse during Magh Mela, 2025–26, at Prayagraj.
The application alleged abuse under the guise of religious service and discipleship. It said the conduct amounted to penetrative sexual assault.
The FIR states the alleged offences occurred from January 13, 2025 to February 15, 2026. It also mentions incidents said to have occurred during Magh Mela gatherings.
Court Says Allegations Need Police Investigation
The Special Judge considered a preliminary inquiry report from the Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj. The court said the material showed “serious and specific accusations of aggravated penetrative sexual assault” involving two minors.
The court said the matter needed a police investigation. It listed steps like medical examination of the victims and the accused. It also referred to collection and recovery of material evidence and seizure of relevant materials.
The court also highlighted forensic checks of electronic and digital evidence. It mentioned verification of mobile location data. It also referred to identifying and tracing unidentified persons.
The court said the State has a statutory duty to investigate cognisable offences, especially offences against children. It said police investigation suits this process better than a complaint procedure. The court directed the SHO, Jhunsi Police Station, to register the FIR “forthwith.” It also asked police to investigate fairly, independently, and expeditiously.
FIR Sections and Allegations
Police registered the FIR at 23:37 hours in compliance with the court’s order. The FIR names Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari. It also names 2–3 unidentified persons.
The FIR invokes Sections 3, 5l, 4(2), 6, 16, 17, and 51 of the POCSO Act. It also invokes provisions under the BNS. The FIR notes that Section 5l read with Section 6 deals with punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child. It prescribes rigorous imprisonment of not less than 20 years. The punishment may extend to life imprisonment.
According to the FIR, the minors were allegedly kept under the pretext of education and service in a gurukul setting. The complaint also alleges pressure through disciples. The FIR records the alleged statement: “यह गुरु-सेवा है, इससे आशीर्वाद मिलेगा” (“this is guru-seva, it will bring blessings”). The FIR then records allegations of repeated sexual assault.
