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Rival Puri shankaracharya arrested, secures bail

Swami Adhokshyananda, the rival claimant to the seat of shankaracharya of Puri was arrested today along with seven of his disciples for violation of orders under section 144 Criminal Procedure Code prohibiting his movement in Puri district. However, he secured bail from the sub-divisional magistrate within a few hours.

They were arrested under Sections 188 and 186 of CrPC and Section 173 of Indian Penal Code from a house near the Catholic church where the Swami had been staying since his arrival in the holy town on Saturday last, police said.

Police had to forcibly break open the main gate to effect the arrest. Earlier, Adhokshyananda had been served with an order of the sub-divisional magistrate in this regard which he tore up in the presence of the magistrate and police.

SDJM Ramesh Chandra Swain while granting him bail on a local surety of Rs 5000, ordered that the Swami would not stay within the limits of Puri town area. He also directed Adhokshyananda not to influence the witnesses till submission of the chargesheet against him by the police.

Meanwhile, according to a report received from Cuttack, a criminal case was filed in the Orissa High Court today on behalf of Adhokshyananda by his counsel Pitambar Acharya challenging the prohibitory order issued by the sub-divisional magistrate, Puri.

Justice B P Das of the high court issued notice to the collector, superintendent of police and sub-collector, Puri, while fixing July 20 next for hearing of the case.

The counsel described the prohibitory orders slapped on Adhokshyananda as malafide and gross infringement of his constitutional rights.

EARLIER REPORT
Puri tense are rival shankaracharya arrives

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