Tensions run high in Allahabad High Court as Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s anticipatory bail plea in a heinous sexual harassment case takes center stage today. Accused of abusing two minor boys over an extended period, the swami seeks pre-arrest protection from Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha’s bench to avoid imminent police custody.
The petition, drafted by advocates Rajarshi Gupta, Sudhanshu Kumar, and Shri Prakash, impleads the UP government alongside key figures: complainant Ashutosh Pandey, the 14- and 17-year-old victims, High Court Legal Services Committee, and Child Welfare Committee. Positioned at No. 142 on Court 72’s fresh list, the matter promises intense legal fireworks.
Rooted in a Jhunsi police FIR, the charges under BNS 2023 Section 351(3) and six related clauses arise from allegations by Tulsi Kunj’s Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj. The narrative is chilling: for more than a year, the boys suffered relentless sexual molestation at the ashram, culminating in disclosures during the Magh Mela.
Seeking refuge, the minors confided in the complainant, detailing manipulations where abuse was masked as ‘guru seva’—even during Mahakumbh 2025 and upcoming Magh Mela 2026. Forced nudity, nighttime threats, and violations persisted, with fresh incidents in a car and camp at the recent mela.
This case exposes dark undercurrents in spiritual sanctuaries, fueling demands for child protection reforms. The swami’s defense hinges on the bail application, but the detailed FIR paints an incriminating portrait. Should the court refuse, arrest is inevitable, thrusting the matter into a full trial.
Observers note the broader implications for religious figures facing such accusations. Prayagraj, a hub of faith, watches closely as justice weighs innocence against these profound claims of betrayal.