Minor accuses Asaram Bapu of sexual assault

Spiritual guru Asaram Bapu was booked by Delhi Police for allegedly raping a minor girl in Jodhur last week.

The minor along with her parents filled an FIR in Kamla Market Police station of Tuesday. A case was registered against the spiritual guru under sections 376, 342, 509, 354 of IPC , Juvenile Justice Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

“We have recorded her statement in front of judicial magistrate under the section 164 of CRPC. As of now we can’t disclose the sequence of the events as it could reveal in the identity of the minor,” said Jitender Luthra, joint commissioner of police, Central range.

According to police the incident took place on August 15 at guru’s ashram in Jodhpur. The girl’s parents, who are staunch followers of Asaram Bapu, came to know about it on August 17 when girl told them about the ordeal. They approached police on August 19. After the medical examination, police lodged an FIR on August 20. “We have sent all case related documents to Jodhpur police and now the case will be handled by them,” added the officer.

The victim hails from Uttar Pradesh and was a student of Asaram’s ashram in Chhindwada, Madhya Pradesh. On August 14, the victim fell ill and the ashram authorities thought she was under the influence of some spirit and therefore sent her to guru’s ashram in Jodhpur.

According to police, Asaram Bapu told her parents that he would perform a special yagna to free the girl from the spirit and they can leave for their home. The parents left after which guru allegedly raped the girl.