Sexual assault case: Girl not a minor, says Asaram`s counsel

Zee Media Bureau

Jaipur: Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu`s counsel has refuted the rape charge against the spiritual guru by a 16-year-old girl and went on to say that the complainant was not even a minor. The 72-year-old controversial spiritual guru Asaram Bapu is currently lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail after a court on Monday sent him to 14-day judicial custody. On Tuesday, Asaram`s counsel KK Menon, arguing on his bail plea before District and Sessions Judge (Rural) Manoj Kumar Vyas, had alleged that the medical report of the girl does not support the rape allegation. Arguing that the complainant was not even a minor, Menon asked why the girl did not shout if she was being raped as her parents were sitting outside the room. “Even her clothes were not tattered when she came out,” a newspaper quoted Menon as saying. Menon also alleged that the police had worked under the pressure of media and prepared FIR in a hurry. “The FIR against Asaram does not stand as there are several lacunae in it. MLC (Medico Legal Certificate) report does not support the statements made by the girl. Hence, the case does not fall under Section 376 (rape charges) of IPC." The court, however, on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Asaram after the prosecution opposed his application. Asaram, 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. The spiritual guru was sent to judicial custody 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 and the complaint was filed by her on August 20. The spiritual guru has denied the charge. Police, however, claimed they had a water-tight case against him.