Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu on Tuesday defended himself in the alleged sexual abuse case, and claimed that it is a political conspiracy
“It’s all a political conspiracy. I have faced many such dirty accusations in the past as well. There is no question of me taking anticipatory bail,” he said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot earlier in the day said that the investigation in the alleged sexual abuse case involving the spiritual leader is on, and added that there is no interference from the government’s side.
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“The investigation is going on. The criminal must be punished according to me. There is no interference from the government side, and police should be given freedom to do their work,” he told media in New Delhi.
According to reports, a Jodhpur Police team earlier in the day reached Asaram Bapu''s ashram in Indore to deliver summons to him in this case involving a minor.
The officials, who went to Asaram Bapu’s ashram to deliver the summons to him, asked him to appear before the Jodhpur police for questioning by August 30 in the case.
Moreover, Asaram Bapu’s aide Neelam Dubey has also defended him in this case of alleged sexual assault.
Asaram Bapu has been booked under Sections 376, 342, 506 and 509 of the IPC, Section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.
Besides the summons served on Asaram Bapu, notices have also been issued to the manager of Chhindwara gurukul in Madhya Pradesh, hostel warden and the main caretaker of Asaram, who was present at Manai ashram in Jodhpur with him on August 15, when the alleged sexual assault took place there.
The 16-year-old girl, who has accused the spiritual leader of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur, hails from Uttar Pradesh.
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