PRAYAGRAJ — Ashutosh Maharaj, also known as Ashutosh Brahmachari, was the victim of a violent assault aboard a moving train early Sunday morning, March 8, 2026. The industrialist and whistleblower, who previously made headlines for filing a sexual harassment FIR against Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, was travelling from Ghaziabad to Prayagraj on the Rewa Express when the incident occurred. Around 5:00 AM, near the Sirathu railway station, an unidentified assailant reportedly entered the First AC coach and attacked Ashutosh with a sharp weapon, targeting his face and hands in an apparent attempt to sever his nose.
According to the victim’s account, the attacker was a man of athletic build who confronted him near the lavatory. Ashutosh managed to defend himself and eventually locked himself inside the train’s toilet to escape further harm. From there, he contacted the Government Railway Police (GRP) to report the life-threatening encounter. Upon reaching his destination, Ashutosh was taken for a medical examination where he received treatment for deep cuts and significant blood loss. He later informed the media that he is experiencing blurred vision as a result of the struggle and is currently being monitored by medical professionals.
In his formal complaint to the GRP, Ashutosh Brahmachari explicitly named Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple, Mukundanand, as the masterminds behind the hit. He alleged that the attacker specifically mentioned the ongoing POCSO and sexual harassment cases, stating the intent was to “offer the victim’s nose at the Shankaracharya’s feet.” Ashutosh claims the motive for the attack was to prevent him from presenting critical evidence in court, asserting that the religious leader is desperate to avoid the legal consequences of the upcoming hearings.
Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand has denied any involvement in the incident, dismissing the claims as a theatrical performance intended to gain media attention and government security. He suggested that Ashutosh is attempting to distract the public from the Shankaracharya’s religious programmes. Despite the counter-claims, the GRP has registered an FIR based on the victim’s statement and has commenced a search for the unidentified assailant. Investigators are currently reviewing railway security protocols and passenger manifests to track the perpetrator’s movements.
