Swami Avimukteshwaranand 'ready for narco test to uncover truth' in POCSO case

• Swami Avimukteshwaranand offers narco test in POCSO case
• He alleges the case is fake and questions the medical report.
• His anticipatory bail plea to be heard at Allahabad High Court

Did our AI summary help?

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Friday offered to undergo a narco analysis test, asserting his willingness to cooperate with any investigative method to establish the truth in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case registered against him, according to a PTI report.

Speaking to reporters at his math in Varanasi, the seer expressed his readiness to embrace scientific interrogation if it aided the investigation. "If the truth can be ascertained through a narco test, it should certainly be done," he reportedly stated. "Whatever methods are available to uncover the truth should be adopted."

The seer’s remarks come just hours before his anticipatory bail plea is scheduled to be heard by the Allahabad High Court later in the afternoon. His sudden offer to undergo the test marks a significant turn in the narrative, as legal proceedings are set to intensify.

The seer’s statement comes just hours before his anticipatory bail plea is slated to be heard by the Allahabad High Court later on Friday afternoon. His legal team is reportedly present in court and prepared to present all evidence before the bench.

Mounting a fierce defence of his innocence, Avimukteshwaranand launched a broadside against the allegations, labelling the case a fabrication designed to tarnish his image. "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 was quoted by PTI as saying.

The seer specifically questioned the evidentiary value of medical reports cited by the prosecution, casting doubt on their credibility. "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 asked.

He further argued that even if misconduct were proven, it would not automatically establish his culpability. "The child who never came to us cannot be easily linked to our name," he stated, firmly distancing himself and his institution from the complainants.

In a series of pointed allegations against the complainant, Ashutosh Brahmachari alias Pandey, and the police, the seer reportedly questioned why the children at the centre of the case were not sent to a juvenile home, claiming they were instead kept at a hotel in Hardoi. He alleged they were being shielded from the media. "No matter how elaborate the fabrication, the truth will eventually come out," he added, accusing the police of preparing statements favourable to the complainant.

Meanwhile, at his residence, the seer continued with his daily routine. His disciple, Sanjay Pandey, confirmed that Avimukteshwaranand performed his regular prayers as usual, maintaining a semblance of normalcy even as a large contingent of mediapersons remained stationed outside the math.

The seer had on Thursday termed the case — filed under the POCSO Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita — as "false". He alleged that the accusations were a deliberate attempt to defame him and divert public attention from the globally discussed "Epstein files".

He reiterated that his decision to seek anticipatory bail from the High Court was to protect the dignity of the prestigious institutional seat he holds as Shankaracharya, maintaining that neither he nor his gurukul has any connection with the complainants.