“These are in bad taste. I think he is just frustrated, but I don’t think there is any defamation,” adding that saints should rise above such allegations. The judge emphasized, “Saints command respect through their own deeds.” Justice Navin Chawla commented on the case
NEW DELHI: On Tuesday (13th Aug), the Delhi High Court declined to grant interim relief to Jyotir Peeth Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati in his defamation suit against Swami Govindananda Saraswati. Govindananda had labeled Avimukteshwaranand a “fake baba” and accused him of having Congress party backing.
Justice Navin Chawla commented on the case, stating:
“These are in bad taste. I think he is just frustrated, but I don’t think there is any defamation,” adding that saints should rise above such allegations. The judge emphasized,
“Saints command respect through their own deeds.”
Avimukteshwaranand’s counsel argued that Govindananda’s accusations included serious claims such as kidnapping, being a history sheeter, theft of Rs 7,000 crore in gold, and illicit relationships with sadhvis. The lawyer also noted a previously withdrawn case against Avimukteshwaranand by the Yogi Adityanath government.
The Court determined that it was not suitable to issue an injunction at this stage. It has issued a notice to the defendants regarding the interim relief application and scheduled further consideration for August 29.
Avimukteshwaranand, who is referred to as the Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, has also been in the spotlight for his comments on the Ram Mandir inauguration in Ayodhya. His coronation as Shankaracharya has been stayed by the Supreme Court.
Govindananda’s press conference on July 21 included allegations that Avimukteshwaranand was a “fake baba” and had an arrest warrant issued against him. Govindananda criticized Avimukteshwaranand’s rise to prominence and questioned his authenticity, stating that prominent figures like PM Modi and businessman Mukesh Ambani were erroneously honoring him.
