Asaram rape-case: Jodhpur Court to pronounce verdict on April 25
A special SC/ST court here today reserved its order for April 25 in a 2012 rape case against self-styled godman Asaram after the final arguments were completed. Judge Madhu Sudan Sharma heard the final arguments from the prosecution and defense counsels for five months. The final arguments were completed today. The court reserved the order for April 25, victim's counsel PC Solanki said.
A history of rape case against Asaram Bapu
A teenage girl had accused Asaram of sexual assault at his ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur. The girl, who belonged to Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur, was a student living in the ashram. Asaram, who is in jail since August 31, 2013, was charged under relevant sections. If convicted, Asaram faces a maximum sentence of 10 years. He also faces a rape case in Gujarat.
SC had earlier refused to grant bail to Asaram
Supreme Court yesterday pulled up Gujarat Police for the delay in completion of recording of evidence in one of the rape cases against self-styled preacher Asaram Bapu, lodged in Jodhpur jail, and directed it to conclude the process within five weeks. Two Surat-based sisters had lodged separate complaints against Asaram and his son Narayan Sai, accusing them of rape and illegal-confinement, among other charges.
Some witnesses need to be examined yet
Asaram's counsel had on January 15 told the court that in the Gujarat case, out of 92 witnesses, 22 material witnesses have been examined, 14 of them have been dropped and rest need to be examined.
