In a bombshell press conference in Prayagraj on Wednesday, spiritual leader Ashutosh Brahmachari unleashed a series of grave accusations against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati. Speaking to a packed room of journalists, Brahmachari alleged misconduct inside an ashram, naming several individuals he claimed were involved in wrongdoing against young religious students known as batuks.
Brahmachari didn’t hold back, declaring, ‘Those who call Mother Ganga dirty cannot bathe in her sacred waters.’ He painted a disturbing picture of batuks brought from flood-ravaged areas only to face mistreatment in ashrams under the swami’s influence. The allegations extend to claims of physical tampering, backed by medical reports from two batuks as ordered by the Supreme Court.
He explicitly listed the accused: Swami Avimukteshwaranand at the top, followed by his associate and disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari, Arvind—a disciple of the swami’s guru-brother—and Prakash Upadhyay. Brahmachari asserted that using the title ‘Shankaracharya’ for the swami violates a Supreme Court directive, risking contempt proceedings.
The timing of this outburst is crucial. It comes just days after a special POCSO court in Prayagraj ordered an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and others for alleged sexual exploitation of minors, based on Brahmachari’s complaint. The court has directed police to probe further.
Brahmachari hinted at deeper involvement, suggesting followers from the same ashram and even members of the Samajwadi Party and Congress might be implicated in crimes against children. He referenced events on January 18, when batuks allegedly escaped and later confided in him. He also accused the swami of blocking access to the Sangam for holy dips by creating public roadblocks, defying Supreme Court orders against such obstructions.
While Brahmachari promised to reveal more names as investigations progress, he refrained from specifics on some followers, emphasizing his role as an exposer of such scandals. ‘I don’t go there, nor do I commit such acts. My work is to unmask these people,’ he stated firmly.
This escalating feud between spiritual heavyweights has gripped the religious community, raising questions about accountability in ashrams and the welfare of young devotees. As probes deepen, the fallout could reshape perceptions of these revered figures.