Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth, has approached the Allahabad High Court seeking anticipatory bail. This legal move comes after an FIR was registered against him involving allegations of sexual harassment and charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The petition has been filed through a team of senior advocates and is expected to be taken up for hearing shortly by the court.
Details of the Anticipatory Bail Application
The application for anticipatory bail was moved through senior advocates Rajarshi Gupta, Sudhanshu Kumar, and Shri Prakash. According to the legal team, the petition seeks protection from arrest in connection with the case registered in Prayagraj. The advocates have completed the necessary filing formalities in the High Court registry, and the matter is likely to be listed before a bench for an urgent hearing in the coming days.
Background of the Allegations
The legal proceedings began when Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple of Tulsi Peethadhiswar Swami Rambhadracharya, filed an application in the district court under Section 173(4) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The application leveled serious allegations of sexual harassment against Swami Avimukteshwaranand. Taking note of the gravity of the charges, Additional District Judge (Rape and POCSO Special Court) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia directed the Jhusi police to immediately register an FIR and conduct a thorough investigation.
FIR and Specific Legal Sections
In compliance with the judicial order, the Jhusi police station in Prayagraj registered an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, his disciple Mukundanand Giri, and 2-3 other unidentified individuals. According to police officials, the case has been registered under Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and several sections of the POCSO Act, including Sections 5l, 6, 3, 4(2), 16, and 17. These sections pertain to aggravated sexual assault and related offenses involving a minor.
Investigation and Legal Implications
The Prayagraj police have initiated a formal investigation into the matter following the registration of the FIR, while authorities stated that they're examining all aspects of the case and collecting evidence as per standard procedure. Legal experts noted that the charges invoked carry severe penalties, ranging from 20 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment upon conviction. The police are maintaining strict vigilance due to the sensitive nature of the case involving high-profile religious figures.