Court defers framing of charges in rape case against Asaram

The Gandhinagar district court today postponed framing of charges against self-styled godman Asaram in a rape case as he could not be present in the court.

Additional district judge R A Ghoghari adjourned the proceedings to June 10.The Superintendent of Jodhpur jail, where Asaram is lodged, informed the court in a letter that he could not be sent here because a local court was hearing on a day-to-day basis a rape case filed by a minor girl against Asaram.

Special prosecutor R C Kodekar said that Asaram's presence was necessary to frame the charges. With Asaram in Jodhpur jail and his wife and co-accused Lakshmiben under treatment, the court could not frame the charges, he said.

The case before Gandhinagar court relates to a complaint filed by a Surat-based woman who has accused Asaram of raping her many times when she was living in his Ashram.

The charge-sheet, which also names his wife Lakshmiben, daughter Bharti and four women followers Dhruvben, Nirmala, Jassi and Meera, was filed last January.

The complainant's sister has filed a rape case against Asaram's son Narayan Sai.Asaram is facing another rape case in Jodhpur in Rajasthan.