Plea in SC seeks CBI probe against Asaram

The Supreme Court was moved Thursday seeking a court- monitored CBI probe into the allegation of rape of a minor by spiritual guru Asaram Bapu in Rajasthan.

The petition by Chennai-based lawyer Irudaya Nathan sought the effective enforcement of Juvenile Justice Act, 2000 and said the main reason for his moving the apex court was the alleged stigmatisation and character assassination of the juvenile victim by Asaram Bapu's son.

Pointing to the derogatory manner in which Asaram Bapu's son and others had sought to stigmatise the juvenile victim, the petitioner said there was "very low implementation of the (Juvenile Justice) Act and the object of the (Juvenile Justice) Act to prevent stigmatisation of child in the society" and the swift and sensitive investigation in the case could only be done by the "positive intervention" by the apex court in such matters.

The petition also sought scientific determination of the age of the minor victim.

A 16-year-old girl alleged last week that Asaram Bapu raped her during one of her stays at his Jodhpur ashram. Asaram Bapu has denied the charge.