Allahabad HC seeks UP govt response to Maharaj's plea challenging history-sheet opening

The Allahabad High Court, in Prayagraj, heard Ashutosh Maharaj's writ petition challenging the opening of his history sheet by the state police. Maharaj appeared in person and sought deletion of his name from the police surveillance register. A division bench comprising Justices J J Munir and Tarun Saxena directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file a counter-affidavit within two weeks and fixed May 13 for the next hearing. The court also stated that the prayer for interim relief would be considered on the next date. The petition notes that the history sheet was opened at Kandhla police station in Shamli district and that Maharaj claims many of his cases have resulted in acquittals, stayed proceedings, or civil disputes related to religious property. He is also a plaintiff in Shahi Idgah-Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute cases pending before the high court.

A bench of the Allahabad High Court granted anticipatory bail to Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple in the POCSO case. The court questioned the unusual conduct of the minor victims confiding about the alleged offence to Ashutosh Maharaj instead of their natural guardians.

Acting on Ashutosh Maharaj's application, a special court in Prayagraj directed the police to register a case of sexual assault under the POCSO Act against 56-year-old Swami Avimukteshwaranand and others. Maharaj alleged that two minors were subjected to sexual abuse during Magh Mela, 2025-26 in Prayagraj, and claimed the victims disclosed the matter to him after local police authorities allegedly failed to act on initial written complaints.