Prayagraj, May 8 -- Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad high court has recused himself from hearing a contempt petition filed against Swami Avimukteshwaranand, all- eging disobedience of a court order. The contempt petition was filed by Ashutosh Mahraj, the first informant in the POCSO FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand. It has been alleged that the Swami disobeyed the high court order dated March 25, which was passed while granting him anticipatory bail. The petitioner alleged that despite the high court's restraint order, Avimukteshwaranand is holding several meetings and making statements in violation of the HC order. Following the recusal, the matter will now be placed before the chief justice of the Allahabad high court, who will nominate another bench to hear this matter. On May 6, 2026, when the matter came up before the court, justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal said he did not want to hear the matter and accordingly directed, "Lay before another bench after obtaining nomination from the chief justice, as afresh." Recall that while granting anticipatory bail, the high court, in its order dated March 25, imposed certain conditions. The court had directed that the accused, victims and the first informant would not give any interview to the media regarding the present case during the pendency of the investigation or trial of the POCSO case. The other conditions were that the accused shall not tamper with evidence and that they would appear before the trial court on the date fixed unless exempted by the court concerned. Secondly, they shall not directly or indirectly, make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him/her/them from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police officer. Thirdly, they would co-operate during trial and would not misuse the liberty of bail. Lastly, it was directed that they shall not leave India without prior permission of the court concerned....