The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted interim relief to Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand, staying his arrest and directing authorities not to take immediate action against him. The court ordered that no coercive or punitive action be taken against the Swami until the next hearing.
According to the court’s order, Swami Avimukteshwaranand has been granted interim protection from any punitive action until the next date of hearing. The relief was granted through a petition in which the Swami stated that no action should be taken against him without evidence. The High Court passed the order after hearing arguments from both sides.
The matter pertains to allegations of sexual harassment. Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati received relief in connection with a case in which an FIR was registered against him and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on 21 February. The FIR contains allegations of sexual misconduct involving two individuals, including a minor.
An investigation was initiated on the basis of the allegations, and preparations were underway for the Swami’s arrest. However, the High Court has stayed the arrest for the time being and granted him interim protection. The court clarified that no punitive action shall be taken against him until the next hearing.
Responding to the allegations, Swami Avimukteshwaranand rejected the charges and stated that if a narco test or similar examination could establish the truth of the matter, he was prepared to undergo it. Speaking to the media, he said that all available methods should be adopted to reveal the truth.
He stated, “If the truth can emerge through a narco test, then it should certainly be conducted. Falsehood does not last long. Those who have fabricated a false story are being exposed. As people become aware of this fabricated case, the truth will become clear.”
He also said that it was not easy to link his name with a child who had never come to him. The Swami stated that the case had been prepared against him under a political or personal agenda and that the truth would emerge soon.
The Allahabad High Court clarified that the interim relief is valid only until the next hearing. The final decision will be taken on the basis of the complete investigation and arguments presented before the court. The court directed authorities to refrain from any arrest or punitive action against the Swami during this period.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand reiterated that he was prepared to undergo a narco test. Such a test is often conducted to determine whether narcotic substances or other illegal elements are present in a person’s body. He stated that such testing would further clarify the matter and expose false allegations.
