CPI-M demands justice for witnesses killed in Asaram case

As a Jodhpur court sentenced self-styled godman Asaram to a life term for raping a minor girl in 2013, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Wednesday also demanded justice for the three witnesses killed.

"Nine witnesses were attacked of which three died... The courts should ensure that the other related cases including those over the killing of the witnesses are completed without delay," said the CPI-M Politbureau in a statement.

The three witnesses were killed in separate incidents between June 2014 and June 2015.

The 77-year-old godman was convicted under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act and the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. Two co-accused were also convicted in the case.

"The CPI-M welcomes the judgment holding Asaram and two others guilty of rape of a minor in August 2013. It is a case of a so-called godman exploiting the faith and belief of his followers to sexually exploit a minor and deserves the strongest punishment," the leftist party said.

This was a victory for justice in a case which saw the use of violence and intimidation against the victim and her family, it said.

"The teenaged survivor showed exemplary courage in these extremely difficult and trying circumstances and is a symbol of the fight against sexual exploitation," it added.

--IANS

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