In a high-stakes legal battle unfolding in Prayagraj, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has approached the Allahabad High Court seeking anticipatory bail to evade arrest in a serious sexual harassment case involving minor boys. The court is set to hear the plea on Friday, with Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha presiding over the single bench proceedings.
The application names the Uttar Pradesh government and five others as respondents, including the complainant Ashutosh Pandey, the two minor victims, the High Court Legal Services Committee, and the Child Welfare Committee. Filed through advocates Rajarshi Gupta, Sudhanshu Kumar, and Shri Prakash, the case appears as item 142 on the fresh cause list of Court No. 72.
The allegations stem from an FIR registered at Jhunsi police station against the swami and his disciple. Charges invoke Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, alongside six other sections related to sexual offenses. The complaint, lodged by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj of Tulsi Kunj, paints a disturbing picture of prolonged abuse.
According to the FIR, the two victims—aged 14 and 17—endured repeated sexual exploitation at the swami’s ashram for over a year. The abuse came to light during the Magh Mela when the minors confided in the complainant, seeking police protection. They revealed that the exploitation continued even during Mahakumbh 2025 preparations and the Magh Mela 2026, framed deceptively as ‘guru seva’ with promises of future benefits.
Further details in the complaint describe how the boys were coerced into sleeping naked, either alone or together, threatened, and assaulted at night. Recent incidents allegedly occurred inside a standing car and a temporary camp during the Magh Mela. If the high court denies bail, police are poised to arrest the swami, escalating this scandal rocking spiritual circles in Prayagraj.
This case has ignited debates on accountability within religious institutions, underscoring the vulnerability of minors under the guise of spiritual guidance. As the hearing approaches, all eyes are on the court’s decision, which could set a precedent for handling such grave accusations.