The largest Shaivite akhara acted fast. On Nov 13, Panchayati Akhara Shri Niranjani — one of 7 Shaivite Sanyasi Akharas among 13 major akharas — expelled Ujjain-based preacher Indradev Maharaj following sexual harassment FIR registered in Mumbai.
Mahant Ravindra Puri, secretary of Haridwar-headquartered Niranjani Akhara and president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP), told TNIE: "Action bars him from participating in gatherings of Hindu seers across the country." He cited "extremely serious nature" of allegations.
Indradev, who holds Mahamandaleshwar title — top monastic rank — runs ashrams in Vrindavan (Sevadham), Jalgaon (Maharashtra), and is building new ashram-gaushala on Bhukhi Mata Mandir Road near Narsingh Ghat, Ujjain.
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FIR details are grave, still under investigation and yet to be proven in court.
According to complaint transferred from Mira-Bhayandar Kashimira police station to Mathura:
Complainant, Pune woman, began watching Indradev's sermons on Facebook in Jan 2023, took his number from TV discourse, contacted April 10, 2023. She attended satsang at Santacruz, Mumbai and received diksha.
She alleged that during stay at Sevadham Ashram, Vrindavan in Dec 2023, Indradev called her to his room late night, shut door and sexually assaulted her. Afterward, he allegedly made obscene phone/video calls, forced her to undress, performed obscene acts, recorded them, and threatened public humiliation — "I am God, obey me" — forcing sexual relationship under deceit.
When she approached Mathura police for months, no action. She then approached women's activist Trupti Desai (Bhumata Brigade), who held press conference in Pune Nov 7. Desai presented her with other women also alleging exploitation, but only one Zero FIR filed so far.
Kashimira police registered Zero FIR Nov 8 under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by deceitful means), 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (insulting modesty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), then transferred to Mathura where alleged crime occurred.
Indradev has denied charges as fabricated, baseless.
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Expulsion is significant. In July 2024, Akhara Parishad expelled 13 Mahamandaleshwars for money-minting and non-religious activities and served notices to 112. Niranjani Akhara itself expelled Mandakini Puri. Now Indradev is 2026's high-profile expulsion — ahead of 2027 Nashik Simhastha preparations where banned seers cannot enter akhara camps.
Activist Trupti Desai demanded immediate arrest. Mathura police say probe on.
Case again raises question of guru-shishya power imbalance exploited via social media devotion.
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