Swami Avimukteshwaranand Files Defamation Suit against Govindananda Saraswati

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday declined to grant interim relief to Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, in his defamation suit against Swami Govindananda Saraswati. The suit was filed in response to allegedly “objectionable” remarks made by the latter.

Justice Navin Chawla, who expressed a preliminary view that no defamation had occurred, stated that it would be inappropriate to issue an injunction at this stage. The court has issued notice to the defendants regarding Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s application for interim relief and scheduled the matter for further proceedings on August 29, 2024.

The judge remarked, “These are in poor taste. I think he is simply frustrated, but I don’t believe there is any defamation.”

The court further advised Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati’s counsel, “You are a saint. Why are you concerned about this? Saints should not be troubled by such matters. They cannot be defamed by these issues. Saints earn respect through their own actions.”

Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, who had declined the invitation to the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya, has filed a defamation suit against Govindananda Saraswati of the Jyotirmath Trust, who made the alleged comments in July, along with several other organizations.