Prayagraj’s judicial corridors are buzzing as the Allahabad High Court prepares to deliberate on Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s anticipatory bail application amid shocking claims of sexual abuse against minors. The Friday hearing before Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha’s single bench could determine the swami’s immediate fate, with arrest looming if relief is denied.
Represented by a team of lawyers including Rajarshi Gupta, Sudhanshu Kumar, and Shri Prakash, the petition lists the UP government, complainant Ashutosh Pandey, two underage victims, High Court Legal Services, and Child Welfare Committee as parties. It’s slotted at serial 142 in Court No. 72’s fresh cause list.
The controversy erupted from an FIR at Jhunsi thana, charging the swami and his disciple under BNS Section 351(3) and six additional sexual offense provisions. Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj’s complaint details a year-long ordeal where 14- and 17-year-old boys faced systematic exploitation at the ashram.
The boys’ revelations during the Magh Mela exposed the horrors: repeated assaults disguised as devotional service, with assurances of spiritual rewards. They were forced to sleep unclothed, intimidated into silence, and violated nocturnally. The FIR highlights recent abuses in a parked vehicle and makeshift camp at the mela grounds.
This unfolding saga challenges the sanctity of ashrams, prompting calls for stricter oversight. The swami’s plea argues for pre-arrest protection, but the gravity of the charges—especially involving minors—has intensified scrutiny. A denial could lead to swift police action, while approval might allow him to contest the allegations from outside custody.
As Prayagraj grapples with this blemish on its spiritual heritage, the high court’s ruling will resonate far beyond the courtroom, influencing public trust in religious leaders.