The Allahabad High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri in connection with a sexual harassment case. The order was passed by a single-judge bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha. The court had previously reserved its judgment on February 27 after concluding the arguments from both the petitioners and the respondents. The petitioners had moved the High Court seeking protection from arrest in the ongoing investigation.
Court Proceedings and Judicial Relief
During the earlier stages of the hearing, the High Court had ensured that no coercive action, including arrest, would be taken against the petitioners until the final delivery of the verdict. Following the court's decision, Swami Avimukteshwaranand stated that the legal team had presented a detailed defense, emphasizing that the allegations lacked factual merit. The bench, after evaluating the maintainability of the anticipatory bail plea and the evidence presented, ruled in favor of the petitioners.
Arguments Presented by the Petitioners
The petitioners argued before the court that the allegations were fabricated and part of a larger conspiracy to malign their reputation. Swami Avimukteshwaranand contended that the minor mentioned in the complaint had never resided at the monastery (Math). The defense also suggested that the children involved should be placed under the custody of the Juvenile Board for their protection. They maintained that the case was politically or ideologically motivated rather than based on actual incidents.
Details of the Allegations and FIR
The case originated from a complaint filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple of Swami Rambhadracharya, along with two others, including a minor. According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused were alleged to have committed sexual harassment at a Gurukul and during religious congregations such as the Magh Mela, while the state counsel and the advocates representing the complainants had strongly opposed the bail plea, citing the sensitive nature of the charges and the involvement of a minor.
Allegations of Administrative Conspiracy
Swami Avimukteshwaranand has raised serious allegations against the local police and administration in Prayagraj. He presented photographic evidence claiming that a high-ranking police official was seen in close association with the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari. According to the Swami, this association points toward a coordinated effort to frame him. He further alleged that the timing of the police action, which commenced on the day of Mauni Amavasya on January 18, was intended to disrupt his religious duties and public standing.