Rape allegations against Mahamandaleshwar Uttam Swami:Rajasthan woman emails Delhi police, alleges threats and years of sexual exploitation

A young woman from Rajasthan has accused Mahamandaleshwar and kathavachak Uttam Swami of Shri Panch Agni Akhara of rape. She also sent an email to the Delhi Police Commissioner on 12 February seeking security. The complainant states that as soon as the accused became aware of her intention to file an FIR, she began receiving threats. She alleges that Uttam Swami has attempted to contact her both directly and indirectly, while his close associates are pressuring her to reach a compromise. In her email, the woman wrote that highly private information concerning her and her family is being retained. She has expressed fears for her safety and believes she may be harmed. Allegation of long-term sexual exploitation The woman has alleged that Uttam Swami sexually exploited her for several years. She claims that when she was a minor, acts of misconduct were committed against her under the guise of religion. When she objected, she says she was intimidated and threatened. Owing to the accused’s influence, she states that she was unable to lodge a complaint for a prolonged period. She further claims to possess evidence supporting her allegations and intends to seek legal recourse. However, she has raised concerns that the evidence could be tampered with because of the accused’s influence. Contents of the email to police The complainant in her email formally requests immediate police protection. She states that she has been a victim of a serious sexual offence (rape) by Uttam Swami and intends to file a formal complaint under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). She describes the accused as a self-proclaimed spiritual figure with considerable influence and a large following. According to her, since he learned of her intention to pursue legal action, she has faced direct and indirect threats aimed at preventing her from filing an FIR and silencing her. She has warned that due to the accused’s ‘godman-like’ influence, there is a significant risk of witnesses being influenced, physical intimidation, and destruction of evidence. She further alleges that the accused has the resources to monitor her movements, making her feel extremely unsafe. She also fears an increased risk because her identity is known to the accused and has appeared in media reports. The woman has alleged that the accused lured her under the pretext of religion and faith and raped her at multiple locations. Besides rape, she has accused him of fraud, deception and criminal breach of trust. She has requested round-the-clock police protection at her current residence and asked authorities to keep her identity and location confidential. She expressed hope that justice would not be obstructed due to fear. Political reactions in Madhya Pradesh The allegations have sparked political reactions in Madhya Pradesh. KK Mishra, media adviser to Congress state president Jitu Patwari, posted on social media platform X, demanding an investigation and action against leaders allegedly linked to the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in connection with the matter. As of now, no official response has been issued by the BJP. There has also been no formal statement from the police or the administration regarding the tweet. About the Akhara and the accused The headquarters of Shri Panch Agni Akhara, also known as Shambhu Panch Agni Akhara, is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The Akhara has branches in Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, Nashik, and Junagadh. The Mahamandaleshwar of the Akhara, Ishwaranand Maharaj, is also known as Dhyan Yogi Uttam Swami. He was born in Lohgaon in the Amravati district of Maharashtra.