UP Court orders FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand in alleged child sexual assault case
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Prayagraj: A Special POCSO Court in Prayagraj directed Jhunsi police to register an FIR and probe allegations of child sexual abuse against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and associates, following a complaint by disciple of Jagadguru Rambhadracharya.
Special Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia acted on Ashutosh Brahmachari's application under BNSS Section 173(4), filed after police refused to register the initial report. Brahmachari presented two minors in an in-camera hearing; the court reserved orders on February 13 and, after reviewing Prayagraj Police Commissioner Jogendra Kumar's preliminary inquiry, named the swami, his disciple Mukundanand, and two others for investigation Saturday.
The move comes amid recent spotlight on the swami, whose Supreme Court PIL over alleged police excesses against disciples during the January 3-February 15 Magh Mela was dismissed last week. A CJI Surya Kant-led bench said law-and-order matters rest with the state, advising representation to authorities.
Tensions had flared on Mauni Amavasya when authorities halted the swami's palanquin procession to Sangam over safety and no-vehicle rules amid crowds, sparking a scuffle, manhandling claims, a dharna, and his hunger strike demanding an apology. The Magh Mela Authority later challenged his 'Shankaracharya' title.
(Inputs from IANS)