The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday (June 23) orally remarked that it will cancel anticipatory bail granted to Vachanananda Swami booked in a POCSO case over allegations of sodomy and permit him to seek regular bail.

The court was hearing the complainant's plea challenging Sessions Court's May 2 order granting anticipatory bail to Vachanananda Swamiji who has been booked for offences under Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 of POCSO Act. In the interim, the plea seeks a stay on the May 2 order.

During the hearing the senior counsel appearing for the petitioner submitted before Justice M Nagaprasanna that this was a matter where "blanket bail" was granted. He submitted that chargesheet had been filed. Meanwhile the respondent's counsel sought time to file his vakalatnama and objections to the petition.

At this stage the court orally said, "I will set aside this order. This bail could not have been granted. We will reserve liberty to get regular bail.The manner in which it is granted I will set it aside".

The court was further told that State had also file a plea against the order before the same court. The high court then remarked that the anticipatory bail order has to be cancelled.

The respondent's counsel meanwhile said that the matter may be listed on Monday for hearing, enabling him to respond to the petition.

"You file. But such anticipatory bail cannot be granted at all. This is what? Sodomy?...The only thing is since he has benefit of anticipatory bail, right or wrong let him seek regular bail," the court orally said.

Meanwhile the petitioner's counsel said that after this petition was filed, the respondent had threatened the complainant and she had approached the police.

The court meanwhile orally remarked, "You have not left the boys...minor girls are not safe and the minor boys are also not safe".

However the respondent's counsel said that this was a false case and that there was a dispute between the respondent and the trustees after which such a case was filed.

The court thereafter listed the matter on Thursday.

Case title: SMT REKHA v/s STATE BY AND ANOTHER

CRL.P 7944/2026