Jodhpur: The bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is lodged in a prison in Jodhpur, has been adjourned till tomorrow by a session’s court here today. Asaram, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram, was remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a local court in Jodhpur on Monday. The police who questioned him for an entire day claim they have strong evidence against him. Earlier, Jodhpur Police said they are clear that they had enough evidence against Asaram Bapu in a case that is ‘purely criminal’ in nature.
Asaram, 72, who was arrested from his ashram in Indore in Madhya Pradesh last week, sought bail claiming that police erred in booking him under rape charge, which is non-bailable. He claimed if the minor girl’s complaint was found to be true, it would at best amount to a rape attempt. Manan had told the court that the spiritual guru should be granted bail as even the alleged rape attempt was a bailable offence. “We have gathered sufficient evidence in the last ten days. Whatever has been said by the victim, we have collected the evidence which collaborate with her statement. We are making it a foolproof case,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajay Pal Lamba.
“There is no conspiracy. It’s a pure criminal case. It is purely a criminal act. On the part of the police, whatever investigation and action is to be taken in such a case, we are doing that. Whatever the accused wants to say, he is free to say,” he added. Asaram was on Monday sent to 14 days’ judicial custody by a Jodhpur district court after questioning at a guest house of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary. The 16-year-old girl alleged that the sexual assault took place on August 15 at Asaram’s ashram outside Jodhpur city. The spiritual guru has denied the charge. Police, however, claimed they had a water-tight case against him.
The police, who also ran a potency test on Asaram, said he was found capable of sexual assault.
Asaram has been booked under Sections 376, 342, 506 and 509 of the IPC, Section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Bureau Report
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