M A I N   N E W S

Asaram sent to 14-day judicial custody, facing ‘strong case’

Lodged in Barrack No. 1 of Jodhpur jail Asaram was taken to Central Jail, Jodhpur, near Mohanpura bridge in a convoy of police vehicles after the court order and was lodged in Barrack No.1 The police said Asaram was mentally and physically fit and a team of doctors and had declared him perfectly OK. The godman has cleared a potency test conducted on him at the SN Medical college in Jodhpur

Jodhpur, September 2
Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram here, was remanded in 14-day judicial custody by a local court.

Wearing a white dhoti and kurta and a red skull cap, the controversial godman was produced amid tight security before the district and sessions court where the magistrate Manoj Kumar ordered to send him to judicial custody till September 15. The counsel for Asaram, meanwhile, moved an application for bail and hearing on the plea is expected tomorrow. Asaram (72) was brought to the court in a police bus escorted by a police vehicle. He was remanded in one-day police custody yesterday after being grilled for four hours. The religious preacher remained in the court for about 15 minutes before he was taken to Central Jail, Jodhpur, near Mohanpura bridge in a convoy of police vehicles after the court order. He was lodged in Barrack No.1.

During the hearing, defence counsel pleaded that proper medical attention and care be given for Asaram in the jail. To this, the prosecution assured the court that all required assistance will be given.

"Our investigation was complete so we did not seek for extension of the police custody. The accused has cooperated with us," DCP Ajay Lamba told reporters after the hearing. "Our case is very strong and we have vital evidences against the accused. We are moving in the right direction. We will file chargesheet in the case soon,” he said.

After the hearing, some people who had gathered outside the court shouted slogans welcoming its order. Asaram was arrested amid high drama on the intervening night of Saturday-Sunday in Indore and was brought here yesterday for interrogation. Asked about reports that Asaram was suffering from a neurological disorder, the DCP said, "It has been proved to be a lie. His son can say what he wants to say. We can't comment on anybody's statement". "A team of doctors said he is perfectly OK. He is mentally and physically fit," Lamba said, adding the accused is also taking food whenever served. Asaram had yesterday cleared a potency test conducted on him at the SN Medical college here. He was also taken to his Manai Ashram, about 30 km from Jodhpur, where the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted. The police had conducted a physical verification and tried to recreate the scene of crime. — PTI