ASARAM BAPU

ASARAM BAPU

Jodhpur court rejects Asaram Bapu's bail plea,

'godman' to remain in jail

The Jodhpur (rural) district and sessions judge rejected the bail plea filed by self-styled  Asaram Bapu on Wednesday. Asaram is currently in judicial custody for allegedly assaulting a minor girl sexually.The court had earlier sent him to judicial custody till September 15.Earlier in the day, the prosecution opposed the bail plea saying investigations in the case will be affected if bail is granted.The prosecution told the court that Asaram, during the investigation, had allegedly tried to influence police and, in view of the fact, he may further try to influence the investigation if the bail application is considered.Additional advocate general Anand Purohit said two persons named in the FIR — Shilpi (warden of the hostel at Chhindwara Gurukul) and Sharad (caretaker in the gurukul) — were on the run and their interrogation was necessary to complete the investigation.

He also justified registration of the FIR in Delhi instead of Jodhpur, where the crime happened, saying the girl initially did not tell her parents about what had happened with her and when her parents came to know about the incident, they moved to Delhi to confront Asaram.When Asaram refused to meet them, father of the girl lodged case in local police station in Delhi.After the arguments, the court reserved its judgement. Decision of the court is expected to be announced later in the day.The victim studied at Asaram's ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh where it is alleged that the girls' hostel warden and an attendant scared her that she was being possessed by an evil spirit and asked her parents to take her to the godman for treatment.

Prof. John Kurakar