Asaram aide's anticipatory bail rejected

A Rajasthan court here Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by Shilpi, an aide of Asaram Bapu, in a case of abetting an alleged sexual assault by the spiritual guru on a minor last month, a lawyer said.

Shilpi is the warden of the hostel in Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara where the girl, who accused Asaram of sexual assault, stayed. The hostel is situated in the ashram that is allegedly run by Asaram.

Prosecution counsel Anand Purohit said Shilpi filed an application through her lawyer in the court of the district and sessions judge (rural).

"She sought anticipatory bail. In the application, she pleaded innocence and stated that she has been interrogated by police and there is no evidence against her in the case," said Purohit.

Opposing the anticipatory bail, Purohit told the court that police had enough evidence against her.

"The court rejected the bail application," he said.

According to the allegations of the 16-year-old girl, the spiritual guru sexually assaulted her on the pretext of exorcism.

Asaram has been booked under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Indian Penal Code. He has denied the allegations.

The spiritual guru was arrested from Indore in Madhya Pradesh Sep 1 and brought to Rajasthan and is in judicial custody till Sep 16.