LUCKNOW: Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotirpeeth, on Friday said he was willing to undergo a narco analysis test if it helped establish the truth in the sexual abuse case registered against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Speaking to the media at his Shrividya Mathh Ashram in Varanasi, the seer said, “If the truth can be ascertained through a narco test, it should certainly be done. Whatever methods are available to uncover the truth should be adopted.”
The case against him has been filed under the POCSO Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Avimukteshwaranand has termed the allegations “false”, claiming they were aimed at defaming him and diverting attention from the globally discussed “Epstein files”.
Meanwhile, the Allahabad High Court reserved the order on the seer's anticipatory bail plea on Friday saying there would be a stay on his arrest till the order was delivered.
Meanwhile, police arrested a law student, Ajit Kumar Saroj, who had allegedly threatened to blow up the Shankaracharya’s lawyer, Srinath Tripathi, with a bomb. Saroj was held from Rasipur village in the Jansa police station area within 20 hours after the threat was issued. Police said he practised in the Varanasi court.
According to Sanjay Pandey, a disciple of the seer, Avimukteshwaranand continued with his routine religious activities and performed his daily prayers as usual.
Avimukteshwaranand said his lawyers were present in court and would place all evidence before it.
“Falsehood does not last long. Those who fabricated a false story are being exposed. As people come to know about this concocted case, the truth will become clear,” he said.
Questioning claims linked to medical examination reports, Pandey said: “How can a medical report establish our involvement? It is being said that the report has proved misconduct. That may be someone’s statement, but what meaning does a medical report conducted after so many days carry?”
He added that even if any wrongdoing had occurred, it would not automatically establish who was responsible. “The child who never came to us cannot be easily linked to our name,” he said.
The seer also alleged that the children were staying with the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari, and questioned why they were not sent to a juvenile home. He referred to media reports claiming that the children were kept at a hotel in Hardoi and alleged that they were not allowed to meet mediapersons.
He further accused the police of shielding the complainant and preparing statements against him. “No matter how elaborate the fabrication, the truth will eventually come out,” he said.