Prosecution opposes bail for Asaram

They said that the investigation would be affected if bail was granted

Prosecution today opposed the bail plea of Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl, in a court here saying investigations in the case will be affected if bail is granted.

The prosecution told the court of District and Sessions Judge (Rural) that Asaram, during the investigation, had allegedly tried to influence police and, in view of the fact, he may further try to influence the investigation if the bail application is considered.

Additional Advocate General Anand Purohit said two persons named in the FIR -- Shilpi (warden of the hostel at Chhindwara Gurukul) and Sharad (caretaker in the gurukul) -- were absconding and their interrogation was necessary to complete the investigation.

He also justified registration of the FIR in Delhi instead of Jodhpur, where the crime happened, saying the girl initially did not tell her parents about what had happened with her and when her parents came to know about the incident, they moved to Delhi to confront Asaram.

When Asaram refused to meet them, father of the girl lodged case in local police station in Delhi.

After the arguments, the court reserved its judgement.

Decision of the court is expected to be announced later in the day.

The victim studied at Asaram's ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh where it is alleged that the girls' hostel warden and an attendant scared her that she was being possessed by an evil spirit and asked her parents to take her to the godman for treatment.