POCSO Case: Avimukteshwaranand Secures Relief from Arrest by Allahabad High Court

In a significant development in a sexual harassment case, the Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri. The relief was granted by a single bench headed by Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha.

The court had earlier reserved its order on February 27 after completing arguments on the anticipatory bail plea. During the earlier hearing, the high court had also stayed the arrest of the Jyotirmath Shankaracharya until the next date of the proceedings.

Background of the Case

The case stems from an order passed by a district court in Prayagraj, which directed the police to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and others over allegations of sexual assault involving a minor. The directive was issued by Additional District and Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia, who presides over the special court dealing with cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The complaint was filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple associated with Swami Rambhadracharya, the head of Tulsi Peeth. Acting on the plea, the court instructed the Jhunsi Police to register a case and begin an investigation.

Following the court's order, an FIR was lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, Mukundanand Giri and several unidentified individuals. The case has been registered under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with multiple provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, including Sections 3, 4(2), 5, 6, 16 and 17.

Police officials have confirmed that the investigation into the allegations is currently underway.

Swami Denies Allegations

Swami Avimukteshwaranand has denied the accusations, calling them baseless. He has also stated that he is willing to undergo a narco-analysis test if it helps establish the truth.

At the same time, he has accused the police of favouring the complainant and allegedly preparing statements against him.