Self-styled Godman Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, was sent to the Jodhpur Central Jail on Monday after the Jodhpur District and Sessions Court remanded him in 14-day judicial custody, triggering protests by his supporters.
Police had to forcefully remove Asaram’s supporters who staged protests outside the jail. The lawyers of the accused moved a bail petition on Monday and it is scheduled for hearing on Tuesday. He was in one-day police custody following his arrest in Indore on Sunday.
Asaram has passed a potency test which will be a major point in pressing sexual assault charges against the accused, police sources said.
The Jodhpur police, who demanded two-day police custody of Asaram, did not press for its extension on Monday as “they had completed the investigation”. A team of senior lawyers descended on Jodhpur from Delhi to assist the local lawyers in defending Asaram and getting a bail for him though he has been booked under rape and other non-bailable offences.Public prosecutor Anand Purohit said Asaram’s bail application will come up for hearing at 11 pm on Tuesday.
He said the lawyer representing Asaram pleaded that the accused be shifted to jail hospital considering his age and health condition.
However, the court ruled out the request citing the prosecutor’s statement that the jail authorities would provide all medical facilities if and when required to the 72-year-old accused.
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