Asaram summoned, Jodhpur CP Biju George Joseph heads investigation

Ahmedabad, 26 August 2013

Asaram Bapu has been summoned by Jodhpur(Rajasthan) Police over allegations by minor of sexual assault. Asaram has time till 30th August to appear before Police, said Ajaypal Lamba, DCP, Jodhpur.

Meanwhile, the Ahmedabad police has deployed extra force at city based Asaram ashram to maintain law and order.

Asaram Bapu left his Ahmedabad ashram two days back. He is presently at his Indore ashram in Madhya Pradesh. His next public event is scheduled to take place in Surat in south Gujarat on Tuesday. As he has been given four days time to appear before police for questioning Asaram may complete his pre-scheduled Janmashtami programme in Surat and appear before the police.

It has to be seen whether he files anticipatory bail plea by this week-end. In his interview with a Gujarati TV channel, Asaram has publicly said that he will not go underground and will happily go to jail.

No rape charge from day one, clarifies Jodhpur police

The Jodhpur Police today clarified that there’s no rape charge against Asaram from day one. Police said minor girl who is complainant has also maintained that it’s a case of sexual assault and not rape.

Asaram has been booked under Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act.

The case:

A case was registered against Asaram by a minor girl who is in Jodhpur with her family. Jodhpur police commissioner Biju George Joseph said, “The medical report of the girl confirms molestation. We are in the process of collecting evidences. The evidences will need to be reviewed which will be done by the end of this week. The ashram where the alleged crime took place has been sealed.”

The FIR along with other documents has been transferred to the Mahila Thana of Jodhpur West district. The Assistant Commissioner of Police and investigating officer in the case, Chanchal Mishra said, “The interrogation will be on the grounds that it appears prima facie that he and the victim were present at his ashram in the city on 14-15 August, when the assault allegedly took place.”

According to the police, the girl, a resident of Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, was a Class 12 student at Asaram’s gurukul at Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh. She was studying there for the past four years. The victim’s family has been the Asaram Bapu’s disciple for years. In the first week of August she told the gurukul staff that she was suffering from stomach pain. When her family visited her at the school, the Ashram authorities advised them that she was under the influence of a spirit and that Asaram, who was then in Jodhpur, would be able to cure her by conducting a Yagna.

“When the victim’s parents took her to Jodhpur on 12 August and contacted Asaram, he told them that a special ritual will have to be observed for the betterment of her health, but in isolation. He invited them to his private ashram at the village Manai, 20 km from Jodhpur on 14 August and observed the ritual with her parents on the same night. But next day, he said that the second ritual will have to be observed with the girl alone in his room. On the night of 15 August, Asaram took the girl to his private chamber and allegedly exploited her sexually, threatening her that his guards would eliminate her family if she protested,” said a senior Jodhpur police official.

The girl broke down on 17 August and related the ordeal to her parents in their hometown in UP. After which they came down to Delhi to talk to Asaram about it at the Ramlila Maidan on 19 August where he was giving a public sermon.

But the family was not allowed to meet him, upon which they approached the police. The police then sent the girl for medical examination at the capital’s LNJP hospital which confirmed sexual assault. On the basis of the medical report on 20 August, the police lodged an FIR in the case.

The case was transferred to Jodhpur police on 22 August.

Biju George Joseph heading the investigation, Ashok Gehlot may not help Asaram

If Asaram has to be arrested, the job will be done by Jodhpur police. In that case, Jodhpur police commissioner Biju George Joseph will play key role.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday said that the case was being investigated by Jodhpur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph and action would be taken on the basis of “truth and facts”.

“I have spoken to Jodhpur Police Commissioner last night and told him to investigate the case at every level, and ensure action based on truth and facts,” Gehlot told reporters after a Solar workshop here.

“Jodhpur police has already inspected the place of alleged crime,” Gehlot said, adding that “levelling allegations against someone is one matter…I think guilty should get punishment.”

“…Until the investigation in the case is over, I will not comment on it. Jodhpur Police Commissioner and Superintendent of Police are tackling the case…Let the process of probe be completed,” he said.

“Sadhu-sants preaching religion or spirituality should maintain their best character and work in their limit as any bad message would hurt and shock the society. People in society pay their regards to these sadhus and sants, such cases are not a good sign,” he said.

Asaram’s defensive version in video and text