Avimukteshwaranand's arrest in POCSO case stayed, seer asked to cooperate in probe
India Today
The court asked the state government and the informant, Ashutosh Pandey, to file their replies. Swami Avimukteshwaranand was directed to cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.
The Allahabad High Court on Friday stayed the arrest of Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and reserved its order on his anticipatory bail plea in a case registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Granting interim relief, the court directed that no coercive action be taken against the spiritual leader until it pronounces its verdict, which is expected in the third week of March.
The order was passed by Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha after a hearing that lasted over an hour in a packed courtroom.
The court asked the state government and the informant, Ashutosh Pandey, also known as Ashutosh Brahmachari, to file their replies. Swami Avimukteshwaranand was directed to cooperate with the ongoing police investigation.
The case was registered at Jhunsi police station on the direction of a Prayagraj POCSO court.
The FIR alleges sexual exploitation of 'batuks' (young disciples) by the seer and others during the Magh Mela and Mahakumbh events.
According to the prosecution, the alleged victims have undergone medical examinations and recorded their statements before the authorities.
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