Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj has moved the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail granted to Jyotish Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Giri by the Allahabad High Court in a child sexual abuse case.
Ashutosh Maharaj, who happens to be the complainant in the case, has challenged the March 25 order of the high court, contending the high court did not adequately consider the severity of the allegations against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple and that Saraswati might influence witnesses in the case.
The case was registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj on the orders of a Special POCSO Court in February this year following a complaint filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari alleging sexual exploitation of several ‘batuks’ (young disciples) by the accused.
The Allahabad High Court had granted anticipatory bail to Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari in the case while emphasising that the investigation must proceed without external influence.
On February 27, the high court had stayed the arrest of Saraswati, directing that he would not be taken into custody till the pronouncement of the order in the matter related to alleged sexual harassment of minor children and other offences.
The court had reserved its order after hearing the matter and directed the applicants to cooperate with the investigation.
