Allahabad High Court Grants Interim Relief to Swami Avimukteshwaranand in POCSO Case

Allahabad | 27 Feb 2026 The Allahabad High Court on Friday stayed the arrest of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in a sexual harassment case registered at the Jhunsi police station. The court’s order provides him interim protection from any coercive action until the next date of hearing, offering temporary relief in the matter. The case against him was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaint alleges sexual abuse, prompting legal action by the police. The court, while hearing the plea, decided to grant interim protection and did not allow any arrest at this stage. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has strongly denied all allegations, describing the case as “false” and an attempt to defame him. He has stated that neither he nor his gurukul has any link with the complainants. He earlier said he was open to investigation methods to prove his innocence, adding, “If the truth can be ascertained through a narco test, it should certainly be done. Whatever methods are available to uncover the truth should be adopted.” He also questioned the claims related to medical examination reports, arguing that tests conducted days later could not directly connect him to the alleged acts. He further alleged that the children were staying with the complainant, identified as Ashutosh Brahmachari alias Pandey, and raised concerns about why they were not sent to a juvenile home. Referring to reports that the children were kept at a hotel in Hardoi, he alleged they were not allowed to meet journalists and allegedly accused the police of shielding the complainant. Allahabad High Court Grants Interim Relief to Swami Avimukteshwaranand in POCSO Case The Allahabad High Court on Friday stayed the arrest of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in a sexual harassment case registered at the Jhunsi police station. The court’s order provides him interim protection from any coercive action until the next date of hearing, offering temporary relief in the matter. The case against him was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act along with relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaint alleges sexual abuse, prompting legal action by the police. The court, while hearing the plea, decided to grant interim protection and did not allow any arrest at this stage. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has strongly denied all allegations, describing the case as “false” and an attempt to defame him. He has stated that neither he nor his gurukul has any link with the complainants. He earlier said he was open to investigation methods to prove his innocence, adding, “If the truth can be ascertained through a narco test, it should certainly be done. Whatever methods are available to uncover the truth should be adopted.” He also questioned the claims related to medical examination reports, arguing that tests conducted days later could not directly connect him to the alleged acts. He further alleged that the children were staying with the complainant, identified as Ashutosh Brahmachari alias Pandey, and raised concerns about why they were not sent to a juvenile home. Referring to reports that the children were kept at a hotel in Hardoi, he alleged they were not allowed to meet journalists and allegedly accused the police of shielding the complainant.