Jaipur, September 17, 2013: A court in Jodhpur on Monday extended the judicial custody of controversial godman Asaram Bapu, facing charges in a sexual assault case, by 14 days.

Asaram also moved a bail application in the Rajasthan High Court, where it was posted for hearing on Wednesday as the arguments on the plea remained inconclusive.

The 72-year-old spiritual guru was produced in the court of District and Sessions Judge (Jodhpur rural) on the expiry of his judicial remand given on September 2.

The court extended the period for his judicial custody till September 30.

Asaram was arrested from his ashram in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, following a police complaint lodged by a 16-year-old girl accusing him of sexually assaulting her at his ashram near Jodhpur.

Supreme Court lawyer Ram Jethmalani, appearing on behalf of Asaram in the High Court, raised questions about the complainant’s mental condition and age, saying the police should have made proper investigation to confirm her age from the municipal records rather than relying on her educational certificates.

Mr. Jethmalani contended that the girl, who was yet to be proved as a minor, was suffering from a “psychological disorder” which made her want to meet men alone.

He demanded a police probe into this aspect of the case as well.

While the girl has accused the religious preacher of forcing him on her at his Jodhpur ashram, Asaram has denied the allegation and claimed in his statement to the police that he met the girl and her family in a large gathering of devotees who came for his satsang (discourse) on August 15.

Case diary

Justice Nirmaljit Kaur of the High Court posted the case for further hearing on Wednesday and asked the prosecution to bring the case diary for arguing its case and give reasons for opposing the bail.

The arguments of the defence counsel were nearly completed.

Source: The Hindu, September 17, 2013