Relief for Swami Avimukteshwaranand as Allahabad High Court grants stay on arrest

New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court has granted relief to Swami Avimukteshwaranand by staying his arrest in connection with a sexual harassment case registered at Jhunsi police station. The court order provides interim protection from coercive action until further hearing in the matter.

What step has the Allahabad High Court taken?

The Allahabad High Court in Uttar Pradesh has granted relief to Swami Avimukteshwarananda in a sexual assault case, staying his arrest. Under the court's order, he has been granted interim protection from any punitive action against him until the next hearing.

Earlier, Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati stated at the Allahabad High Court hearing that the court will expose his lies. Expressing confidence in the court, Shankaracharya said, "How long will they continue to deceive with false stories?" The Uttar Pradesh police are also protecting him. They must prove who owns the medical report of the rape of the children and who committed the rape. The police are also conducting their own investigation and filing a report.

What is the implication of this decision by  Allahabad High Court?

The anticipatory bail application of Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati and his disciple, who approached the High Court to avoid arrest after an FIR was filed for sexual abuse of minors, was heard on Friday. The case is listed at serial number 142 in the court of Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha. This anticipatory bail application is considered a crucial turning point in the entire case, which will decide whether the accused will get relief or face arrest.

What are the charges against Avimukteswaranand?

Swami Avimukteswaranand, who held the post of Shankaracharya and has been a key figure in religious activities for a long time, is now under legal investigation due to serious criminal charges. A case has been registered against him related to sexual abuse of minors. Ashutosh Brahmachari had filed a complaint against Swami Avimukteswaranand.

It was alleged that some minor Vedic students were sexually abused. Swami Avimukteswaranand and his close disciples were also involved in the case. The complainant had filed a petition in the court.

When the case reached the court, the court considered it serious and directed the police to formally register an FIR and start an investigation. Following the court's direction, an FIR was registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj. The FIR names Swami Avimukteswarananda, his disciple Mukundananda Brahmachari and some unknown persons as accused.

What is the complainant's allegation?

Complainant Ashutosh Brahmachari later appeared before the media and spoke in detail about his allegations. He claimed that this is not a case of isolated incidents, but this has been going on for a long time under an organised system. According to him, there are about 20 victims who are ready to come forward or get in touch with him. He also said that these incidents are not limited to one place, but have taken place at various religious places and events.

How has Swami Avimukteswarananda responded?

Swami Avimukteswarananda and his supporters responded to the allegations, calling them completely baseless and a conspiracy. He said that the children who are his students are not his students, and the entire matter has been fabricated to defame him. He believes that there could be religious or political reasons behind targeting him. He also said that he will fully cooperate with the investigation and have full faith in the judiciary.

Swami Avimukteswarananda's disciple Mukundananda Brahmachari also reacted to the matter. He called the allegations highly objectionable, saying that they are all motivated by lies and hatred. He also said that such allegations can completely destroy someone's life and reputation, and therefore, the truth should be revealed soon.

In this case, Swami Avimukteswaranand's lawyer had filed an application for anticipatory bail in the court. This application was filed in the Allahabad High Court, where it is scheduled to be heard today. Today's hearing is considered extremely important as it will determine the future legal proceedings.