Allahabad High Court stays arrest of Swami Avimukteshwaranand in POCSO case

New Delhi: The Allahabad High Court on Friday granted a stay of arrest to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in a sexual harassment case registered at Junsi police station.The court ordered temporary protection from enforcement action until the next hearing.Following a complaint of sexual abuse, a case was registered against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati under the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.The prophet has denied the accusations, calling the case “bogus” and an attempt to defame him. He maintained that neither he nor his Gurukul had any contact with the complainant.Earlier, he publicly stated that he was willing to undergo a drug analysis test if it would help to find out the truth. “If the truth can be found through drug testing, then of course it should be done. Any method that can reveal the truth should be used,” he told reporters.He disputed the claims related to the medical report, arguing that such a report conducted days later could not confirm his involvement. He also said that even if any wrongdoing occurred, it would not automatically tie him to the alleged conduct.The seer further claimed that the children were living with the complainant (Ashutosh Brahmachari alias Pandey) and questioned why they were not sent to a juvenile home. Referring to media reports that the children were being held in a hotel in Hardoi, he claimed they were not allowed to meet journalists and accused police of shielding the complainants.