Odishatv Bureau

Puri: The Govardhana Matha in the pilgrim city of Puri on Thursday demanded the immediate arrest of one Adhokhyajananda, who had claimed to be the Shankaracharya of the matha, on the basis of a non-bailable arrest warrant (NBW) issued by the Puri JMFC in May, 2005.

Talking to media persons here, Manoj Kumar Rath, spokesperson of Govardhan Matha, said, “We demand the state government should immediately act upon the court order, arrest him and produce him in the court.”

In 2000, Adhokhyajananda had claimed to be the Puri Shankaracharya. Subsequently, Puri police took suo moto action and arrested Adhokhyajananda after registering a case.

While hearing the case, the Orissa High Court directed Adhokhyajananda not to enter within a 1000 metre radius of the Govardhan Matha. Besides, he was asked to report to Puri police whenever he enters the pilgrim city.

The court had also said he cannot claim in the media or public platform to be the Puri Shankarcharya.

However, the Puri Town police registered another case against Adhokhyajananda on the basis of a complaint that he was violating the High Court order.

The Puri JMFC heard the case on May 8, 2015 and issued the NBW against Adhokhyajananda.

Rath added, “Like the Chhattisgarh government, the Odisha government should impose a ban on entry of Adhokhyajananda into the State. Because of his activities, the reputation of the Govardhan Matha is being tarnished.”

Meanwhile, Adhokhyajananda in his reaction told OTV, "I had no knowledge whether there was any case pending against me. I will act as per the court order."

He further stated, "I don’t know why they (Govardhana Matha) are after me."

Adhokhyajananda added, "Which officer in Chhattisgarh has put a ban on my entry to the State? It is completely wrong information. In 2000, under the pressure of BJP leaders, the State government had stopped me to stay in Puri. However, within one month, the High Court rejected the government order. Above all, I was asked to inform the police so security will be provided to me. These people are spreading rumours to save their identity. I will knock the doors of the court."

Notably, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati has been the Shankaracharya of the Goavardhana Matha in Puri since the 1990s.

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