High Court grants interim protection while investigation under POCSO Act proceeds
March 25, 2026: The High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Swami Avimukteshwarananda Saraswati and his disciple Swami Mukundanand Giri in a case involving allegations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The order was passed by a single bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha after the court had reserved its verdict on February 27 following detailed arguments from all parties.
The accused had approached the High Court seeking protection from arrest. After reviewing the case details, the court granted them relief, though it clarified that the legal process would continue. The matter will now proceed as per law, with investigating agencies carrying forward the probe.
The case stems from allegations of sexual abuse of minors, following a complaint by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj. A special POCSO court in Prayagraj had earlier directed police to register an FIR after recording statements of the alleged victims and examining preliminary evidence. The case is currently under investigation at Jhunsi police station under relevant provisions of the IPC and POCSO Act.