A POCSO court in Prayagraj has directed police to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and others for allegedly sexually assaulting minors during the Magh Mela. The FIR was lodged late Saturday night. The alleged incidents occurred between January 13, 2025, and February 15, 2026.
A POCSO court in Prayagraj ordered the SHO of Jhunsi police station on Saturday to register a case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Mukudanand Brahmachari, and others for allegedly sexually assaulting minors during this year's and last year's Magh Mela. The FIR was registered at 11:37 pm on Saturday, covering incidents between January 13, 2025, and February 15, 2026.
The complainant is Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj. The FIR invokes BNS section 351(3) and sections 5, 6, 3, 4(2), 16, 17 of the POCSO Act, charging aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child, punishable by 7 years to life imprisonment. Under the BNS section, the accused face charges of aggravated criminal intimidation.
On February 7, following a hearing, the court had directed the Prayagraj Police Commissioner to submit a detailed inquiry report on the alleged incidents. Uttar Pradesh Police filed the FIR within hours of the court order.
