POCSO case: Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati files anticipatory bail plea, says will 'talk to police'
Times of India
by TOI NEWS DESKFebruary 24, 2026
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Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Allahabad High Court, challenging allegations of sexual harassment leveled against him and his disciple, Mukundanand Giri. The seer claims the case is fabricated and asserts that he will cooperate with police investigations once contacted. Speaking to reporters, he denied receiving any official notice and emphasized that the matter should be approached with caution.
The FIR was registered at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj following a directive from a special POCSO court. The case alleges repeated sexual assaults against a minor and another youth over the past year, including incidents at a gurukul and during the Magh Mela religious congregation. Swami Avimukteshwaranand has dismissed the charges as baseless, questioning the lack of evidence linking him to the victims and challenging the credibility of the allegations. He also raised concerns about the delay in registering the FIR, suggesting that police action should have been swifter if the claims were credible.
The seer’s legal team is preparing to contest the FIR, with arguments focusing on procedural irregularities and the lack of concrete evidence. Swami Avimukteshwaranand has also shared a photograph, allegedly sent by members of the public, to support his claim that the case is fabricated. He believes public opinion will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the investigation.
This case highlights broader concerns about sexual abuse allegations within religious institutions and the challenges faced by victims in accessing justice. It also underscores the importance of timely police
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026