POCSO case against Shankaracharya: Swami Avimukteshwaranand seeks bail

Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand has moved Allahabad HC for anticipatory bail after a POCSO case was filed against him. UP Congress has backed the seer, who has questioned the fairness of the probe, alleging a nexus with the complainant.

The legal battle surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has intensified, with the Shankaracharya moving an anticipatory bail petition before the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday. The matter is likely to come up for hearing soon.

FIR Registered Under POCSO Act

The development comes after an FIR was registered at Jhunsi Police Station following directions from ADJ (Rape and POCSO Special Court) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia. The order was passed on an application filed under Section 173(4) by Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple of Swami Rambhadracharya. In compliance with the court's directive, police registered a case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, his disciple Mukundanand Giri, and two to three unidentified persons. The FIR includes Section 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and multiple sections of the POCSO Act, including Sections 6, 3, 4(2), 16, 17, and 51. Police have begun investigating the matter.

Political Support and Allegations of Bias

Amid the controversy, Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai met the Shankaracharya at his Math and held discussions for nearly half an hour. Rai announced that protests would be organised in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh in support of the seer and said the Congress party stands firmly with him.

Shankaracharya Questions Probe's Fairness

On the other hand, while talking to the media, Shankaracharya showed photographs of Additional Commissioner Prayagraj Ajay Pal Sharma and Brahmachari Ashutosh, allegedly depicting senior police officer Ajay Pal Sharma cutting a cake with Ashutosh Maharaj, who has levelled the allegations in the case. He further alleged that certain images sent to him indicate a possible nexus among officials involved in the investigation.

Questioning the fairness of the probe, he said, "If those conducting the investigation share close ties, how can we expect justice?"

Rai also remarked that if Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak truly supports the Shankaracharya, he should visit the Math and meet him personally.

Expressing anguish over the developments, the Shankaracharya termed the situation "very unfortunate" and urged supporters to maintain patience. "Falsehood does not last long. Even Ravana came in disguise, but the truth eventually comes out," he said.

With legal proceedings now before the High Court and political reactions intensifying, the case is expected to witness significant developments in the coming days.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)