Final arguments in Asaram case begins
Last Updated IST
Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu.Reuters file photo
Final arguments in a case of sexual exploitation of a teenage girl by Asaram Bapu finally began in the trial court here on Thursday after a legal battle for a little over four years.
According to government counsel Pokar Ram, the arguments began with the circumstances that led the girl meeting Asaram at his ashram at Manai in Jodhpur on August 15, 2013.
The trial court had recorded the statements of the accused one year ago. The re-examination of some witnesses again took a year.
Victim’s counsel Pramod Kumar Verma said of the 58 witnesses, 44 were examined and remaining 14 were dropped considering their irrelevance.
The case attracted media attention after his devotees created a ruckus.
During the last four years, witnesses were threatened and four of them have been attacked so far. Two witnesses Amrut Prajapati and Kripal Singh have succumbed after being severely injured.
Asaram during the last four years moved about 13 applications seeking bail in different courts from a trial court to the Supreme Court on health grounds, but all were rejected by the concerned courts.
According to government counsel Pokar Ram, the arguments began with the circumstances that led the girl meeting Asaram at his ashram at Manai in Jodhpur on August 15, 2013.
The trial court had recorded the statements of the accused one year ago. The re-examination of some witnesses again took a year.
Victim’s counsel Pramod Kumar Verma said of the 58 witnesses, 44 were examined and remaining 14 were dropped considering their irrelevance.
The case attracted media attention after his devotees created a ruckus.
During the last four years, witnesses were threatened and four of them have been attacked so far. Two witnesses Amrut Prajapati and Kripal Singh have succumbed after being severely injured.
Asaram during the last four years moved about 13 applications seeking bail in different courts from a trial court to the Supreme Court on health grounds, but all were rejected by the concerned courts.