The Principal District and Sessions Judge of Patiala House Court, Anju Bajaj Chandan, on Thursday listed the bail plea of Chaitanyanand Saraswati for hearing on Friday.
The court will also decide whether the matter will be heard by the principal judge herself or assigned to another judge.
Earlier in the day, Additional Sessions Judge Atul Ahlawat recused himself from hearing Saraswati’s bail plea, prompting the matter to be referred to the Principal District and Sessions Judge. ASJ Ahlawat had previously recused himself from hearing Saraswati’s anticipatory bail application in a financial irregularities case as well.
Saraswati, represented by senior advocate Ajay Burman, has sought bail in a molestation case for which he is currently in judicial custody following a period of police interrogation.
Accusations & Custody Details
Saraswati, also known as Parthasarthy, was arrested on September 27 in Agra and subsequently brought to Delhi. He was placed in a five-day police remand starting September 28 and later remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on October 3.
According to the Delhi Police, Saraswati allegedly molested 17 girls at an educational institute in Vasant Kunj. He remains in judicial custody till October 17.
His earlier plea for anticipatory bail in the separate financial irregularities case had been rejected by the Patiala House Court.
Pleas For Religious Articles & Jail Conditions
The court directed the Delhi Police to file a comprehensive reply to Saraswati’s application seeking permission to wear his sanyasi robes and access spiritual books in jail. The court cited the Delhi Jail Manual while noting the need for clarity on existing rules. The matter will be taken up again on Monday.
In another plea, Saraswati has requested a copy of the seizure memo, for which the court asked the police to file a proper reply. This application, too, is listed for hearing on Friday.
During the proceedings, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Animesh Kumar observed that the investigating officer’s reply lacked any reference to the jail manual provisions. The judge remarked,
“Prima facie, it appears that there is no prohibition on clothes and books, so how can I prohibit?”
Plea For Better Jail Facilities
Advocate Manish Gandhi, appearing for the accused, argued that the jail manual does not bar undertrial prisoners from wearing clothes of their choice. He also sought extra bedding for Saraswati, citing his age (over 65) and health issues.
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