The Allahabad High Court on Friday reserved its decision on the anticipatory bail plea filed by Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court has granted interim protection from arrest to the spiritual leader until the pronouncement of its order, which is expected in the third week of March.
According to lawyers present during the hearing, the bench concluded arguments on the plea and directed that no coercive action be taken against the applicant in the meantime.
The case against the seer involves allegations of sexual exploitation of two individuals, one of whom is stated to be a minor. The FIR invokes provisions of the POCSO Act, which deals with offences against children and provides stringent safeguards and procedures.
Swami Avimukteshwaranand has denied all allegations, asserting that the case is false and politically or otherwise motivated. His anticipatory bail plea seeks protection from arrest while the investigation continues.
With the High Court now reserving its order, the question of whether the spiritual leader will be granted pre-arrest bail will be decided when the judgment is delivered later next month.
