Prayagraj’s Special POCSO Court has ordered that a sting operation by Dainik Bhaskar be made part of the police investigation as digital and electronic evidence. The case is related to allegations of sexual abuse of two young disciples by Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Swami.
Dainik Bhaskar found in its investigation that this was a conspiracy by Ashutosh Maharaj. P.N. Mishra, the lawyer for Shankaracharya’s disciple Swami Mukundanand, presented the sting operation before the court. Following this, the court directed that all electronic evidence and the sting operation be included in the investigation.
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Bhaskar’s sting operation gives a new twist to the investigation
P.N. Mishra, the lawyer for Shankaracharya’s disciple Swami Mukundanand, presented Dainik Bhaskar’s four-month investigation report and evidence related to the sting operation on a pen drive before the court.
P.N. Mishra said, “We had filed an urgent application in court. Along with it, the investigation report by Dainik Bhaskar and digital evidence related to the sting operation were submitted to the court on a pen drive. Taking our arguments and evidence seriously, the court has directed that they be included in the investigation of FIR No. 58/2026.”
So far, action had been taken against only two people in this case. However, following the emergence of this evidence, the role of other people involved in the conspiracy will also be investigated impartially.
How the conspiracy was exposed
Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand was accused of sexually assaulting two minors in Prayagraj between the Maha Kumbh in January 2025 and the Magh Mela in February 2026. On the order of a special judge, an FIR was registered against the Shankaracharya and his disciple at Jhunsi police station under various sections.
In this case, the Shankaracharya had filed an application for anticipatory bail in court. The court accepted his application and granted him anticipatory bail.
To uncover the truth, the Dainik Bhaskar team conducted an investigation for four months. The team reached the young boy and his family in whose name the FIR had been registered. The statements made by the boy and his family members in front of a hidden camera gave the case a new twist.
In a sting operation, Batuk and his family claimed that they did not even know Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand, nor had they ever gone to his ashram to study or stay. The investigation revealed that Ashutosh Maharaj was behind the entire matter. He had allegedly used an ordinary rural family as a pawn in the case.
Why did Ashutosh Maharaj choose two ordinary village Batuks?
According to Dainik Bhaskar’s investigation, Ashutosh Maharaj had contacted these Batuks about a year ago during a yajna held in two different cities in Uttar Pradesh. Both Batuks received ₹60,000 each as dakshina at the yajna. According to the report, these same Batuks were later allegedly made part of the conspiracy. Three reasons were cited for this-
1. Financial compulsion- Both Batuks came from extremely ordinary and impoverished rural families. Their families had no permanent source of income.
2. Exploiting religious faith- Batuk and their families believed in religious practices. Taking advantage of this faith, they were influenced in the name of religion and divine service.
3. Prior acquaintance- Ashutosh Maharaj was already acquainted with both Batuks. For this reason, he believed that he could persuade the families to accept his demands through money or pressure.
What will happen next?
Following this order by the Special POCSO Court in Prayagraj, the Jhunsi police will now have to expand the scope of their investigation. In addition to examining the role of Ashutosh Maharaj and his associates, the police will also have to investigate allegations such as kidnapping, preparing fake documents, and criminal conspiracy.
Following the court’s directions, the police will decide on further action based on new facts and digital evidence that emerge during the investigation. If sufficient evidence is found of any individual’s role and involvement in the crime, legal action may be taken against them.
