Prayagraj, Feb. 24 -- The legal battle surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has intensified, with the Shankaracharya moving an anticipatory bail petition before the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday. The matter is likely to come up for hearing soon.

The development comes after an FIR was registered at Jhunsi Police Station following directions from ADJ (Rape and POCSO Special Court) Vinod Kumar Chaurasia. The order was passed on an application filed under Section 173(4) by Ashutosh Brahmachari, a disciple of Swami Rambhadracharya.

In compliance with the court's directive, police registered a case against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, his disciple Mukundanand Giri, and two to three unidentified persons. The FIR includes Section 351(3...