SC declines plea for CBI probe into Asaram case

The Supreme Court Monday declined to hear a petition that sought a court-monitored CBI probe into the alleged rape of a minor by Asaram Bapu in Rajasthan.

Asking petitioner and Chennai-based lawyer D. Irudayanathan to approach the Rajasthan High Court, the apex court bench of Justice A.K. Patnaik and Justice J.S. Khehar allowed him to withdraw his petition.

The petitioner had sought the effective enforcement of the laws to protect juveniles saying the main reason for his moving the apex court was the stigmatisation and character assassination of the alleged rape victim by the spiritual leaders supporters.

He said that the swift and sensitive investigation in the case could only be done by the "positive intervention" by the apex court in such matters.

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

The alleged sexual assault on the 16-year-old girl took place at Asaram's ashram near Jodhpur Aug 15.

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.