Seer Files Anticipatory Bail in High Court Over Sexual Harassment Allegations
Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has submitted an anticipatory bail petition to the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday, responding to serious sexual harassment charges leveled against him and his disciple, Mukundanand Giri. The seer has publicly stated his intention to cooperate with police investigations, despite claiming no prior notification from authorities.
FIR Registered Following Court Directive
The legal action stems from an FIR filed at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj, initiated by a special POCSO court order. This court mandated the case registration based on an application submitted by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj and other complainants. The FIR accuses the seer and his disciple, along with two or three unidentified individuals, of repeatedly sexually assaulting a minor and another youth over the past year.
Alleged incidents reportedly occurred at a gurukul and during religious gatherings, including the recent Magh Mela in Prayagraj. Charges have been filed under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as confirmed by news agency PTI.
Seer Denies Allegations, Questions Police Procedures
In a statement to reporters at Vidya Math in Varanasi, Swami Avimukteshwaranand vehemently denied the accusations, labeling the case as fabricated. "We had no prior information, and this is a false case," he asserted. He expressed skepticism about the credibility of the allegations, suggesting external influence on the complainants.
The seer also raised critical questions about the investigation process. "What connection do we have with those children? They never came to our attention or enrolled in our institution," he argued. He highlighted procedural concerns, noting that in POCSO cases, police should act immediately upon a child's statement, including conducting medical examinations. "Why didn't the police register it promptly?" he questioned, implying delays in the official response.
Anticipatory Bail and Broader Controversy
Swami Avimukteshwaranand's anticipatory bail plea aims to secure protection from arrest while the FIR investigation proceeds. Sources indicate that a notice was sent to the government advocate's office prior to the court filing, according to PTI reports.
This controversy is not isolated; it connects back to an incident on January 18 during Mauni Amavasya, when the seer was reportedly prevented from taking a ritual dip at the Sangam by Magh Mela officials. This led to an 11-day sit-in protest. Reflecting on the event, the seer remarked, "When I sat there for 11 days, no official asked me to take a dip. Now it is too late. I will go to the Magh Mela next year and take a respectful bath."
The case continues to unfold, with legal proceedings and public scrutiny intensifying as both sides present their arguments in court.
