In a sexual harassment case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Allahabad High Court has granted major relief to him and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri. The court has allowed the anticipatory bail plea of both individuals.
The verdict was delivered by a single bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha.
The Allahabad High Court had earlier reserved its decision on February 27 after completing the hearing on the anticipatory bail application. It also stayed the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya's arrest in the case till the next hearing.
About the case
Earlier, a district court in Prayagraj directed the police to register a case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and others over sexual assault allegations involving a minor. The order was issued by Additional District and Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, who presides over the POCSO and rape special court.
The complaint was submitted by Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple of Swami Rambhadracharya, the head of Tulsi Peeth. Acting on the plea, the court instructed the Jhunsi police to lodge an FIR and begin an inquiry into the matter.
Following the court’s directive, the FIR was registered against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, his associate Mukundanand Giri, and a few unidentified persons. The case was filed under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with multiple provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including Sections 5, 6, 3, 4(2), 16, and 17.
Police officials confirmed that an investigation is now underway.
Avimukteshwaranand refutes allegations
Swami Avimukteshwaranand however rebuffed sexual harassment charges against him and offered to undergo a narco analysis test if it would help uncover the truth.
He also alleged that the police are protecting the complainant while preparing statements against him.
