AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to grant him regular bail. Asaram Alias Asumal Harpalani is facing rape charges for the last eight years, but directed the trial court that Gandhinagar To complete the trial and deliver the verdict at the earliest, preferably in four months.
Asaram was arrested in 2013 after a former devotee accused him of rape. His family members and some followers have been accused of abetting the alleged crime. He sought bail from the High Court citing his long imprisonment without a day’s release. He cited his frail health and advancing age to pursue his case for bail.
The state government opposed his bail plea with Assistant Public Prosecutor RC Kodekar saying that if released on bail, it would endanger the safety of witnesses and there is a possibility of tampering of evidence. He said that ever since Asaram was accused of rape, three witnesses have died and one has not been traced. However, Asaram’s counsel opposed this argument, saying that Asaram has not been implicated in any of these murder cases.
Countering Asaram’s contention that the trial may take a long time as 30 witnesses are yet to be examined, the state government said that around 25 witnesses in the list of witnesses would be dropped and the trial court would soon be referred. Will be informed about this. , The prosecution will now examine only four witnesses, including the investigating officers, and their examination may not take much time.
Further, the state government also submitted that Asaram has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the charges of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, and his request for suspension of sentence was accepted by the Rajasthan High Court. not done.
After hearing the arguments, Justice AJ Desai observed that Asaram’s counsel did not argue the case on merits, but the health of the accused, eight years’ imprisonment and his age are the factors that should be considered. The judge set a time limit for completing the trial and delivering the verdict. The High Court asked the parties to cooperate with the court for speedy proceedings and not to seek unnecessary adjournment.
(As per Supreme Court directions on matters relating to sexual harassment, the identity of the victim is not disclosed to protect her privacy)
Asaram was arrested in 2013 after a former devotee accused him of rape. His family members and some followers have been accused of abetting the alleged crime. He sought bail from the High Court citing his long imprisonment without a day’s release. He cited his frail health and advancing age to pursue his case for bail.
The state government opposed his bail plea with Assistant Public Prosecutor RC Kodekar saying that if released on bail, it would endanger the safety of witnesses and there is a possibility of tampering of evidence. He said that ever since Asaram was accused of rape, three witnesses have died and one has not been traced. However, Asaram’s counsel opposed this argument, saying that Asaram has not been implicated in any of these murder cases.
Countering Asaram’s contention that the trial may take a long time as 30 witnesses are yet to be examined, the state government said that around 25 witnesses in the list of witnesses would be dropped and the trial court would soon be referred. Will be informed about this. , The prosecution will now examine only four witnesses, including the investigating officers, and their examination may not take much time.
Further, the state government also submitted that Asaram has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the charges of rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, and his request for suspension of sentence was accepted by the Rajasthan High Court. not done.
After hearing the arguments, Justice AJ Desai observed that Asaram’s counsel did not argue the case on merits, but the health of the accused, eight years’ imprisonment and his age are the factors that should be considered. The judge set a time limit for completing the trial and delivering the verdict. The High Court asked the parties to cooperate with the court for speedy proceedings and not to seek unnecessary adjournment.
(As per Supreme Court directions on matters relating to sexual harassment, the identity of the victim is not disclosed to protect her privacy)
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