Court rejects Narayan Sai's anticipatory bail plea in sexual assault case

A sessions court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Narayan Sai, the absconding son of controversial self-styled godman Asaram, in connection with the sexual assault case lodged by two Surat-based sisters.

Public prosecutor Nayan Sukhadwala said that the additional judge Prakash Shah dismissed the bail plea after seeing the seriousness of the case.

'Seeing the seriousness of the case, and the fact that the girl can be threatened as the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) was also threatened in the case, the sessions court has rejected the anticipatory bail of Narayan Sai," he said.

Earlier on November 11, a local court declared Sai a proclaimed absconder under section 82 of CrPC, and has him to appear before investigating officer or court within 30 days from the day of declaration of 'proclamation for person absconding'.

The elder of the two sisters has accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her between 1997 and 2006 at his ashram, while the younger sister has filed a complaint against Sai, accusing him of repeated sexual assaults between 2002 and 2005 at the Surat ashram.

Asaram, 72, was arrested on September 1 on allegations of sexual assault on a minor at his ashram in Jodhpur.

Last month, he was brought to Ahmedabad by the Gujarat Police to question him in connection with the sexual assault case filed against him and his son Narayan Sai by two sisters from Surat.