Jodhpur: Self-styled godman Asaram on Wednesday wrote a letter to Jodhpur police seeking more time to appear before it in the sexual assault case of a 15-year-old girl. This comes after Jodhpur police rejected Asaram's request for more time. Asaram in his letter has said that he can't appear before September 19.
However, remaining firm on its stand, Rajasthan Police said Asaram has to join investigations according to the date of our choice.
This is the second time Asaram has asked for more time to appear before the police. Earlier in the day, Asaram had asked for more time, however, the Jodhpur police had rejected that request. He had sought more time after a lookout notice was issues against the self-styled godman.
Meanwhile, in another bizarre defence by the Asaram camp in the sexual assault case, the self-styled godman's son has alleged that the minor girl who made the charges against Asarm is mentally unstable. He said, "The girl who is levelling allegations is mentally unstable, the allegations on Asaram Bapu are false."
Narayan Sai also added that the people of Asaram's ashram had even informed the girl's parents that her mental condition was not stable. He made these comments at a satsang (religious gathering) in Rajkot in Gujarat.
However, the father of the alleged sexual assault survivor has demanded a CBI probe into the case. He has said that Asaram should be given a strict punishment after the 'godman' said the allegations were a political conspiracy.
"Asaram's allegation that my daughter's allegation is a conspiracy is baseless. Let there be a CBI inquiry, the truth will come out. Why would we hatch a conspiracy that would expose my daughter to greater harm? My children are suffering, my family has been vilified," the girl's father said.
"Asaram's allegation that my daughter's allegation is a conspiracy is baseless. Let there be a CBI inquiry, the truth will come out. Why would we hatch a conspiracy that would expose my daughter to greater harm? My children are suffering, my family has been vilified," the girl's father said.
Asaram on Tuesday said, "There is lot of time till the August 30. I have not decided what to say. Whatever god will ask me to say I will say. I have told them about my programmes. I have also told them that I will cooperate."
Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday met Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and discussed the Asaram sexual assault case. The Home Ministry had asked the Rajasthan government to file a reply on the allegations against Asaram.
"Law and order is a state matter. No one should interfere in the process of law. Religious leaders should keep themselves away from the controversies," Gehlot said after the meeting.
Meanwhile, CPI leader Brinda Karat slammed the Congress government for not taking immediate action in the matter. She said, "Why should law have double standards? One for godman and other for common man? I demand immediate arrest. The Congress and BJP are both hand-in-glove in this. It's a farce that communal tension is being sited in for not arresting him."
JDU leader Sharad Yadav also alleged the government for the lack of actions. The government is not acting at all, had they acted swiftly, a strong message would have been sent across. He is flying freely in pain. The Gujarat government is also full of superstitious politicians."
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