POCSO judge orders probe into alleged abuse at Vidya Math
A special POCSO court here on Saturday ordered the Jhunsi Police Station SHO to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati to investigate allegations of sexual abuse of boys. Last week, the court of Special Judge (POCSO Act) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia reserved its decision on an application filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and others under Section 173(4) of the BNS after examining the evidence and recording the statements of the victimised ‘batooks‘, the boys, as they are called at the ashram, Vidya Math.
Reacting to the court order, Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati said that the court has given appropriate orders, and the investigation should be conducted in a timely manner. “Yes, it is appropriate. Only when a case is registered will the subsequent process of investigation and recording of testimony be completed. Only then will the truth of the false case filed against us come before everyone, and those responsible for doing this can be punished. Therefore, it is necessary. We recommend that the court proceed with this at a faster pace without taking too much time, as many people are watching this matter. Testimony should be recorded and a decision taken as soon as possible. What is wrong will remain wrong, and the false case that has been filed will ultimately be proven false,” he said.
The petitioner had filed the application seeking direction for an FIR against Avimukteshwaranand under sections 69, 74, 75, 76, 79, and 109 (all related to sexual assault) of the BNS, as well as sections 3/5/9 and 17 of the POCSO Act. The court accepted the petition and ordered the police to conduct an investigation. “Now we will get justice,” Ashutosh Brahmachari said.
“Starting today, we are organising a Sanatan Yatra from here to Vidya Math (Varanasi). We will demonstrate how children are sexually abused on the fifth floor of Vidya Math. There is ample evidence of child abuse there. We have presented all the evidence to the court and will also provide it to the police,” he said.
Avimukteshwarananda has been in the headlines for his confrontation with the organisers of the Magh Mela in Prayagraj. He accused the administration of preventing him from bathing on Mauni Amavasya. The administration had issued a notice to him, asking how he could use the Shankaracharya title, citing a stay in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of India in October 2022 stayed the coronation of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati as the Shankaracharya of Jyotirmath (Jyotish Peeth), following disputes regarding his appointment. The apex court ordered that the coronation should not proceed until the pending appeals are decided.
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