Intro: the court granted regular bail to Vachanandana Swamiji regarding the POCSO case.
Davanagere
The Special POCSO Court in Davanagere has rejected a petition filed by the mother of a minor boy, seeking cancellation of the regular bail granted to Vachanandana Swamiji in a POCSO case. The court had granted regular bail to the seer for the second time in connection with the case.
The mother of the alleged victim had approached the court seeking cancellation of the bail granted to the seer. She also raised allegations that attempts were being made to threaten witnesses in the case. After hearing the arguments, the Special POCSO Court rejected her plea.
The court had granted regular bail to Vachanandana Swamiji on July 13 in connection with the POCSO case. Following the order, the victim’s mother filed an objection petition seeking cancellation of the bail. However, the court has now declined to revoke the bail granted to the seer.
The case was registered at the Harihar Rural Police Station following allegations that Vachanandana Swamiji, who heads the Panchamasali Math near Hanagawadi in Harihar taluk, had allegedly harassed children staying at the mutt. Senior advocate S.V. Patil represented the seer before the court.
Vachanandana Swamiji had appeared before the Davanagere District POCSO Court on July 14 and completed the bail formalities. Speaking after the proceedings, he said the mutt respected the court’s conditional bail order and would abide by the law. He described the court’s decision as a victory for truth and thanked devotees and his legal team.
The seer further said that being a sanyasi was not an easy path and described it as a path of fire. He maintained that truth, righteousness and justice would ultimately prevail. Since the matter is pending before the court, he said he did not wish to comment in detail on the case.
He also referred to writings left behind by his guru and said devotees were aware of them. He maintained that devotees of Harihar had stood firmly by the mutt during the controversy. The court’s latest decision means the regular bail granted to the seer remains in force while the POCSO case continues through the legal process.
Key points
- Court declined revoking regular bail.
- Victim’s mother filed objection petition.
- Seer heads Panchamasali Math.
- Harassment case registered at Harihar.
- Seer completed bail formalities.
- Regular bail remains in force.
