Asaram Bapu's son Narayan Sai withdraws temporary bail petition

Self-styled Godman Asaram's son Narayan Sai, accused in a rape case, has withdrawn his application seeking temporary bail for attending Guru Purnima festival celebration at his ashram on July 31 after the Gujarat High Court indicated that it would be rejecting it.

Justice Z K Saiyed had, during the hearing on Tuesday, stated that an accused cannot be granted bail for attending a festival. Sai's lawyer then sought permission to withdraw the application and the court allowed it.

On July 9, Additional Sessions Judge in Surat, H S Muliya, had rejected the plea for one-day bail. Sai had said that his Ashram had a long tradition of celebrating the Guru Purnima and he needed to attend it, being a religious leader.

Sai, 42, was arrested by Surat police in 2013 after a woman accused him of raping her repeatedly when she was staying at his Ashram during 2002 to 2005. Her elder sister has made similar allegation against Asaram who is currently lodged in Jodhpur jail in connection with another case of sexual assault.