Allahabad High Court judge recuses from hearing contempt case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
A Judge of the Allahabad High Court has recused himself from hearing a contempt petition filed against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, alleging disobedience of a court order in a POCSO case registered in Prayagraj.
On Wednesday, when the matter came up before the court, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal said that he did not want to hear the matter. “Lay before another bench after obtaining nomination from Hon’ble the Chief Justice as fresh,” he said. The contempt petition was filed against Swami Avimukteshwaranand and others, alleging disobedience of the court order passed on March 25 while granting anticipatory bail to Avimukteshwaranand.
The matter will now come before another judge after nomination by the Chief Justice. In the contempt application, filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj, it was alleged that in spite of the High Court order, Avimukteshwaranand held several meetings and made statements.
As part of the conditions of the anticipatory bail, the court had warned the applicants from tampering with evidence, and ordered the accused to appear before the trial court on the date fixed unless exempted.
The court said that the applicants shall not make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case, or dissuade them from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police officer.
The applicants, alleged victims, and the first informant were directed not to give any interviews to the media regarding the case.
