Self-Styled “Godman” Asaram Bapu Rape Case: Supreme Court Questions Gujarat Govt for Slow Trial

The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Gujarat Government over the slow pace of trail in the Rape case involving Asaram Bapu. The complaint was lodged by two Surat based women four years back in August 2013. The self-styled godman was arrested by Jodhpur police and has since then been in jail.

The Supreme Court while hearing Asaram Bapu's request for bail asked the state counsel why the rape victim has not been examined till date. Appearing for the Gujarat government, additional solicitor general Tushar Mehta had said 29 prosecution witnesses have already been examined and the statements of 46 witnesses are yet to be recorded.

The Court has asked the state government to file an affidavit in this regard and posted the matter for further hearing after Diwali.

It was reported that the two witnesses have undergone suspicious deaths, while six others were attacked after the arrest of Asaram.

Asaram’s son Narayan Sai, has also been named in connection with this rape case, registered by the Gujarat state. Sai was arrested for allegedly raping a woman who was his father’s disciple between 2002 and 2005.

Earlier in January, in another case over allegations of raping a minor girl, the apex court has rejected Asaram’s request for bail. It was found that fictitious documents were submitted in the bail plea. The court had ordered a FIR against those responsible for preparing them.

In November, last year, the apex court had sought the response of the Centre and five states on a plea seeking a CBI probe into the alleged murder of the children and attacks on ten witnesses in the Asaram’s rape cases.