Overview
- The Supreme Court refused to cancel the anticipatory bail granted to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple, a ruling that kept the March high court relief in place on Friday.
- The Allahabad High Court had ordered that the accused be released on anticipatory bail if arrested after furnishing Rs 50,000 personal bonds and two sureties each and ordered them to cooperate with investigators.
- The underlying case stems from an FIR directed by a Special POCSO court at Jhunsi police station in Prayagraj that alleges sexual exploitation of young disciples and invokes the POCSO Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
- Defence lawyers told courts the complaint showed delays in reporting, inconsistencies in witness accounts and no corroborative medical evidence, while the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant argued the allegations are grave and custodial questioning is needed; courts have restricted media statements to protect the probe and witnesses.
- The Supreme Court’s action is procedural and does not decide guilt, so the investigation and any trial remain the next steps and could affect the accused, alleged victims and witness protection measures as police continue their work.