Within hours of Prayagraj court order, UP Police files POCSO FIR against Swami Saraswati

The FIR copy mentions the time of the registration of the case 11.37 pm Saturday, and the time of occurrence of the alleged offence between January 13, 2025, and February 15 this year.

Swami SaraswatiThe FIR has been registered under BNS section 351 (3) and sections 5l, 6, 3, 4 (2), 16, 17 of the POCSO Act. (File Photo)

Within hours of a POCSO court issuing the order, Prayagraj Police lodged on late Saturday night registered an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, Mukudanand Brahmachari and others for allegedly sexually assaulting minors during this year and last year’s Magh Mela.

The court had ordered the SHO of Jhunsi police station to register the case on Saturday.

The FIR copy mentions the time of the registration of the case 11.37 pm Saturday, and the time of occurrence of the alleged offence between January 13, 2025, and February 15 this year.

As per the FIR, the complainant of the case is Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj.

The FIR has been registered under BNS section 351 (3) and sections 5l, 6, 3, 4 (2), 16, 17 of the POCSO Act. The accused face charges of aggravated penetrative sexual assault on child under different POCSO sections for which the punishment ranges between 7 years to life imprisonment. Under BNS section, the accused face charges of aggravated criminal intimidation.

On February 7, the court, after hearing the application, had directed the Prayagraj Police Commissioner to submit a detailed inquiry report on the “factum of commission of the alleged incident(s) in the matter”.

Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution. Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape. Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Advertisement
Loading Recommendations...
Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments