2 months ago
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The Allahabad High Court connected Friday (February 27, 2026) granted interim extortion from apprehension to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, caput of the Jyotirmath monastery, who faces allegations of sexually assaulting 2 minors astatine his ashram.
Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha extended akin alleviation to the seer’s disciple, Swami Mukundanand Giri. The court, however, clarified that the probe would proceed successful accordance with the law. While reserving its bid connected interim bail, it directed some accused to cooperate afloat with the ongoing probe.
The substance is scheduled for further proceeding connected March 12. The FIR against the 2 Mr. Saraswati and Mr. Giri was registered pursuing directions from a peculiar tribunal successful Prayagraj. On February 21, the tribunal instructed the constabulary to enactment connected a ailment lodged by Ashutosh Brahmachari and 2 different minors, aged 14 and 17, alleging intersexual abuse.
Speaking to the media connected the time helium secured interim relief, Mr. Saraswati said helium was consenting to acquisition a narco-analysis trial if required to found the information successful the lawsuit registered nether the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act POCSO)
The spiritual leader, who has received enactment successful the past from the Samajwadi Party and the Indian National Congress, has maintained that the allegations are “false” and “politically motivated,” aimed astatine defaming him.
Mr. Saraswati was earlier progressive successful a quality with the Prayagraj territory medication implicit alleged assaults connected his followers during Mauni Amavasya connected January 18, 2026. The stand-off continued for respective weeks, during which the medication issued 2 notices to him — 1 questioning his usage of the ‘Shankaracharya’ rubric and different holding him liable for creating a “stampede-like situation” astatine a spiritual gathering attended by ample crowds.
