📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / महामंडलेश्वर आत्मानंद गिरि जी
Crime
Mahamandaleshwar Indradev Maharaj Accused of Rape, Zero FIR Filed in Thane
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 09 Nov 2026, 10:01 PM
👁 12
A Mumbai woman has lodged a rape and sexual harassment complaint against Mahamandaleshwar Indradev Maharaj, leading to a zero FIR being registered in Thane. The Niranjani Akhada council said it will act after the investigation report.
Mahamandaleshwar Indradev Maharaj, the chief of the Niranjani Akhada based in Ujjain, has been accused of rape and sexual harassment by a woman from Mumbai. The complainant filed a formal police complaint alleging non-consensual sexual acts and repeated harassment.
The complaint prompted the Thane police to register a zero FIR under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, marking the initiation of a criminal investigation. Authorities have recorded the woman's statement and are proceeding with standard procedural steps.
Maharaj has denied the allegations, describing them as a fabricated conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation. The Niranjani Akhada council has announced that it will review the police investigation report before deciding on any disciplinary action against the religious leader.
The case underscores growing scrutiny of religious figures in India and highlights the legal mechanisms available to victims of sexual offenses. The investigation remains ongoing, and further developments will be reported as they emerge.
The complaint prompted the Thane police to register a zero FIR under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, marking the initiation of a criminal investigation. Authorities have recorded the woman's statement and are proceeding with standard procedural steps.
Maharaj has denied the allegations, describing them as a fabricated conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation. The Niranjani Akhada council has announced that it will review the police investigation report before deciding on any disciplinary action against the religious leader.
The case underscores growing scrutiny of religious figures in India and highlights the legal mechanisms available to victims of sexual offenses. The investigation remains ongoing, and further developments will be reported as they emerge.