Last Updated:February 27, 2026, 17:32 IST

Allahabad High Court stayed Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s arrest amid POCSO allegations; FIR filed, probe ongoing, bail plea under review.

Allahabad High Court stayed Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s arrest amid POCSO allegations; FIR filed, probe ongoing, bail plea under review. (Image: wiki)

In a major development in the legal controversy surrounding Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Allahabad High Court has stayed any action and potential arrest against the seer while his anticipatory bail plea is being heard.

The development comes after an FIR was registered against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, following allegations that two minor boys were sexually assaulted at his religious camps over the past year, including during the Magh Mela and the 2025 Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The FIR was lodged at Jhunsi police station on the orders of a special POCSO court after a petition was filed by another seer, prompting formal investigation by police.

Amid the serious nature of the accusations, Swami Avimukteshwaranand moved the Allahabad High Court this week seeking anticipatory bail and protection from arrest until the matter is resolved in court. According to multiple sources, the High Court has now stayed any coercive action or arrest against him while the bail petition is under consideration, offering temporary legal relief to the seer as proceedings continue.

The case had triggered significant debate and public attention. Swami Avimukteshwaranand had publicly stated that his conscience was clear and that he was willing to cooperate fully with police investigations, dismissing suggestions of fleeing or avoiding the law. He also characterised the allegations as politically motivated and part of efforts to tarnish his reputation.

Supporters and political figures have weighed in on the controversy, with some rallies and solidarity visits to the seer’s mutt in Varanasi. At the same time, authorities have maintained that the FIR was registered in compliance with the special court’s order following serious allegations under child protection laws.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand’s legal team argued that granting anticipatory bail was necessary to uphold his rights while further evidence is examined, medical tests of the alleged victims are completed and the inquiry progresses. The High Court’s stay order means the police cannot arrest him until the court decides on his bail application.

As of now, the case remains under investigation with police collecting statements and evidence as required under the POCSO Act. The High Court’s intervention has effectively put a temporary hold on any arrest, even as the criminal probe continues.

Read More