Today in the Allahabad High Court, a crucial hearing regarding the POCSO case involving Swami Avimukteshwaranand is scheduled. This anticipatory bail proceeding is considered a pivotal moment, determining whether relief will be granted or arrest proceedings will follow.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand, occupying the prestigious Shankaracharya position and long a central figure in spiritual circles, now finds himself at the center of legal scrutiny due to serious criminal allegations. The complaint, involving sexual abuse of minors, was lodged by Ashutosh Brahmachari.
Allegations claimed sexual abuse of minor Vedic students. This scandal also implicates Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s close disciple. The complainant sought the court’s intervention.
Recognizing the seriousness of these allegations, the court instructed police to formally register an FIR and commence an investigation. Following the court's directive, an FIR was lodged at Prayagraj's Jhunsi police station, listing Swami Avimukteshwaranand, his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari, and unnamed individuals as accused.
Complainant Ashutosh Brahmachari's Allegations
Ashutosh Brahmachari later expounded upon these accusations to the media, describing a systemic pattern of abuse rather than isolated incidents. He asserted that approximately 20 victims are prepared to testify or are in contact. He also stated the abuses occurred not at a single site but at various religious events and locations.
Source: aajtak
Claims of a Conspiracy
In response to these serious accusations, Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his associates vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them baseless and a plot to tarnish their reputation. They assert that the mentioned children are not their students, suggesting religious or political motives behind these attacks while affirming full cooperation with investigations and faith in the judicial process.
Disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari echoed these sentiments, condemning the allegations as dishonorable and slanderous, capable of completely destroying an individual’s dignity. He emphasized the urgency for truth to emerge swiftly.
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Swami’s legal counsel filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Allahabad High Court where the significant hearing is slated for today, which is seen as crucial in dictating the legal course ahead.
This saga extends beyond the courtroom. Support rallies narrating Swami’s innocence happen across various locations, with devotees and groups opposing legal steps. Meanwhile, the complainants persistently demand an unbiased investigation unfettered by external pressure or influence.
The Reality Behind the Allegations on Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Monastery
To verify allegations surrounding the Shri Vidya Monastery at Kedar Ghat in Varanasi, a ground inspection was conducted. The monastery is accessible via narrow lanes, challenging for vehicles. Upon entry, a staircase to the basement appears, where a worship space and meeting hall exist.
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Representative Devendra Pandey stated the monastery encompasses three stories — the first holds a gurukul and dormitory, the second a kitchen, while the third is reserved for discourses and residence. He clarified a supposed swimming pool was a water tank for former Shankaracharya Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati, now a storage space.
The Statements from Alleged Victim Bats
Some bats claiming victimhood have come forward with grave allegations, alleging misconduct by Swami Avimukteshwaranand and others. They contend that initiations were mere pretense for presenting them to Swami, leading to inappropriate acts, sometimes publicly.
They further identified that individuals from states like Rajasthan and Bihar were reportedly brought to the monastery, with others allegedly enduring similar ordeals. Threats were made to silence dissent, resulting in prolonged silence. They claim to have escaped to complainant Ashutosh Maharaj's refuge and now face threats, fearing numerous children remain entrapped.
Reiterated Allegations by Ashutosh Brahmachari
In Saharanpur, complainant Ashutosh Brahmachari reiterated severe allegations against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and affiliated individuals while speaking to media. He claimed possession of evidence like videos, chats, and medical reports on a pen drive, available for court submission. Over 20 minors’ testimonies and medical proofs are said to be curated by the Brahmachari, indicating the protest at Magh Mela may have pursued political backing, pending confirmation through official investigations.
Legal Counteraction by Avimukteshwaranand
After the POCSO Act FIR in Prayagraj, Swami Avimukteshwaranand launched a legal counter in POCSO Court denouncing the FIR as false and misleading, also asserting minors' identities were exposed contrary to protocols.
The plea claims that naming victims breaches legal standards protecting disclosure, with cited identities within the FIR, and scheduling for a March 13 hearing.
Religious War Board Issued by Avimukteshwaranand
Following a braids-related controversy, Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati declared a religious war and announced the
