Prayagraj, February 27: The Allahabad High Court has provided significant relief to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati by halting his arrest in a registered sexual assault case. Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha’s single bench granted interim protection after hearing the anticipatory bail petition. The court ordered that no punitive action be taken against the petitioner until the next hearing. Swami Avimukteshwaranand filed his anticipatory bail plea on February 24.
The state government’s additional advocate opposed the bail, emphasizing the seriousness of the POCSO case and argued that the petitioner should have approached the lower court first. In contrast, the defense attorney claimed in court that the entire case was filed as part of a conspiracy and that the facts had been misrepresented.
The defense maintained that the allegations are baseless and that the truth will emerge during the investigation. The case was registered following a petition filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari. An FIR was lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand at the Jhunsi police station on the orders of the district court, accusing him of sexually assaulting minors. The case is registered under the POCSO Act, and actions were taken in compliance with the orders of the special POCSO court.
Before the hearing, Swami Avimukteshwaranand expressed his complete faith in the judiciary during a media interaction in Varanasi, stating, “The age of lies is not long.” He also mentioned that he is prepared for any type of investigation, including a narco test, if necessary.
Meanwhile, in a related incident, police arrested Ajit Kumar Saroj from the Jansa police station area in Varanasi for threatening to bomb the defense attorney. According to police, the accused is a law student who initially claimed that he sent the threatening message to frame a neighbor.
It is noteworthy that following the FIR registered for the alleged sexual exploitation of minors, Swami Avimukteshwaranand and one of his disciples filed for anticipatory bail to avoid arrest. The case is listed in court, and detailed arguments will take place on the next hearing date. Following today’s court order, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has received temporary relief from arrest.
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