A special court under the POCSO Act in Prayagraj has directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Jhunsi Police Station to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati over allegations of sexual abuse of minor boys.
The order was issued by Special Judge (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia after reserving judgment last week on an application filed under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The petition was submitted by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and others.
The court examined the evidence presented and recorded the statements of the alleged victims, referred to as ‘batooks’ at the ashram, Vidya Math, before delivering its decision.
The petitioner sought directions for registration of an FIR under multiple sections of the BNS — including Sections 69, 74, 75, 76, 79, and 109 — which relate to sexual offences. The plea also invoked Sections 3, 5, 9, and 17 of the POCSO Act.
After reviewing the material on record, the court accepted the petition and instructed the police to initiate an investigation in accordance with the law.
Further legal proceedings are expected as the police begin their probe into the allegations.
