Seer Avimukteshwaranand granted Bail in Sexual Abuse Case: High Court Rules, No arrest until charge sheet

March 25, 2026

On Wednesday, the Allahabad High Court granted bail to Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in the alleged sexual harassment case. The Court stated that the Shankaracharya would not be arrested until the charge sheet is filed. This verdict was delivered by a bench comprising Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha of the High Court.

Conditions posed by High Court 

While granting bail to Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand, the Allahabad High Court also imposed several conditions. The most significant condition is that neither of the two parties (the Shankaracharya and Ashutosh) shall issue statements to the media or give interviews. If these bail conditions are violated, the opposing party may file a petition seeking the cancellation of the bail.

During the pronouncement of the verdict, the Shankaracharya’s lawyers submitted: “Your Honor, please also issue directions regarding instances where individuals roam around with children or make provocative statements during religious processions. Such conduct should also be curbed.” In response, the Court stated that no such violations should occur.

Verdict Reserved on February 27

On February 27, the Allahabad High Court had stayed the arrest of the Shankaracharya in connection with a sexual harassment case. At that time, Justice Jitendra Kumar Sinha had directed that the Shankaracharya would not be arrested until the final verdict was delivered. The Court further stipulated that the Shankaracharya must cooperate with the police investigation.

In the Court, the Shankaracharya’s case was argued by Advocate P.N. Mishra, while Additional Advocate General Manish Goyal appeared on behalf of the State Government. Reena Singh, the counsel for the complainant, Ashutosh Maharaj, also presented her arguments. The Shankaracharya had filed a petition for anticipatory bail on February 24 in connection with the case involving the alleged sexual harassment of Batuks (young religious students).

Notably, Ashutosh Brahmachari—a disciple of Tulsipithadhishwar Swami Rambhadracharya—had filed a petition in the District Court on February 8. Acting on the orders of Judge Vinod Kumar Chaurasia (of the Special Court for Rape and POCSO cases), the police at the Jhusi police station registered an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand.