Jyotish Peeth issues rebuttal

The Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has issued a strong clarification and rebuttal through a press release dated February 11, 2026 from Shri Kashi, Uttar Pradesh denying recent allegations and media reports linking him to any case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 

The statement claims that just as he issued an ultimatum to the Uttar Pradesh government to grant "Rashtramata" status to the cow and work toward making India free of cow slaughter, a so-called "cartel" has become active against him. The press release specifically addresses a report published on February 11, 2026 in the digital edition of Dainik Bhaskar, which it labels as misleading, false and defamatory.  

Providing context, the release explains that on January 28, 2026, one Ashutosh Brahmachari and another individual filed an application in a Prayagraj court seeking registration of an FIR under the POCSO Act. However, the court declined to issue immediate orders and instead sought a report from the police. Following this, an application was filed on February 9, 2026 on behalf of the Jagadguru Shankaracharya against Ashutosh Brahmachari and the other person. 

 This was registered as Case No. CMC 125/2026 under Sections 22 and 23 of the POCSO Act (false information and malicious prosecution) as well as relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for defamation. The court issued summons to the accused to respond by February 20, 2026. The press release ends with a stern warning: Publicizing details of any ongoing POCSO proceedings without court permission is a punishable offense under the Act.