Varanasi, Feb 23 (IANS) Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Monday said he is ready to face arrest and will fully cooperate with any probe in connection with the POCSO case, even as he criticised the Uttar Pradesh government. Addressing reporters during media interaction here, the seer said that if an investigation is underway, he has a greater interest than the authorities in ensuring that the matter of the alleged wrongdoing is resolved swiftly.”If any investigation is being conducted, we wi…
Latest Prayagraj News & Updates
Lucknow, Feb 22 (IANS) A special POCSO court in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj on Saturday ordered registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and one of his aides, Mukundanand Giri, over alleged role in sexual exploitation of two children at his ashram. The FIR, lodged under Section 173 (4) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), documents shocking details of the sexual exploitation of two minors at Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s Ashram by the se…
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) All India Imam Organisation chief, Maulana Sajid Rashidi, on Sunday slammed Swami Avimukteshwaranand, saying the recent special court order for registering an FIR against him under the POCSO Act for alleged sexual abuse of minors exposes the shocking reality that revered religious leaders, often worshipped like gods, may hide a dark and criminal side. Rashidi called the development “deeply disturbing” and demanded strict action, warning that no spiritual status should pr…
New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday celebrated India’s remarkable strides in agriculture and the resurgence of ancient cultural traditions, underscoring the nation’s growing global footprint and deep-rooted heritage. Addressing the 131st episode of his monthly radio address ‘Mann ki Baat’, the Prime Minister spotlighted a nationwide campaign to preserve heritage seeds, crediting farmers’ dedication for transformative results.Citing an example of Kerala’s Thrissur dist…
Varanasi, Feb 21 (IANS) Swami Avimukteshwaranand, on Saturday, asserted that the FIR ordered against him in a child sexual abuse case would ultimately expose what he described as “false matter”, expressing full faith in the judicial process and saying that the truth would emerge through investigation.Speaking in media persons, Swami Avimukteshwaranand said the legal process would ultimately reveal the truth.”Filing a case is appropriate, because once the case is registered, further investigation…
Prayagraj, Feb 21 (IANS) A Special POCSO Court in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj has ordered registration of an FIR and an inquiry into a complaint alleging that Swami Avimukteshwaranand was involved in sexually abusing children, a lawyer said on Saturday. Special POCSO Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia directed the head of Jhunsi Police Station to register the FIR on a complaint filed by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya’s disciple Ashutosh Brahmachari.Brahmachari had filed an application under Section 173(4) of …
New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Board Class 10 and Class 12 examinations began on Wednesday with more than 52 lakh students appearing across the state. The exams are being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) and will continue till March 12. From Lucknow to Prayagraj, and from Ghaziabad to Varanasi, thousands of students reached their respective centres early in the morning, many expressing nervousness but also feeling confident about their preparation. Th…
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) alleging police excesses against disciples of Swami Avimukteshwaranand during the Magh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj. Observing that issues relating to law and order fall within the domain of the state government, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi said that the petitioner was at liberty to approach the competent autho…
New Delhi, Feb 15 (IANS) Mahashivratri was celebrated with immense devotion and spiritual fervour across the country as lakhs of devotees thronged prominent Shiva temples from the early hours on Sunday. Long queues, special rituals, night-long prayers and holy dips marked the auspicious occasion, with elaborate security and administrative arrangements put in place to ensure smooth darshan and crowd management at major pilgrimage sites.In Jharkhand, devotees thronged the revered Baba Baidyanath D…
Prayagraj, Feb 4 (IANS) Handicraft products made by local artisans are emerging as a major attraction for visitors at the Magh Mela in Prayagraj, as the Centre’s ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative gives a strong push to indigenous crafts and traditional livelihoods. Under the initiative, products manufactured by rural artisans and Self-Help Groups are being prominently showcased at the Mela. Devotees and tourists are showing keen interest in a wide range of locally made items, including handicra…