Asaram likely to be issued summons tomorrow

Police are likely to issue summons tomorrow to controversial self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in connection with allegation of sexual abuse levelled against him by a minor.
"We will summon Asaram Bapu for interrogation on Monday now once the police teams from Chhindwara and Shahajanpur are back in Jodhpur," said investigating officer Chanchal Mishra.
Asaram, who was booked for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in a Jodhpur ashram, arrived in Indore yesterday for spending time in 'solitude'. His spokesman has denied the charge.
Police said that during investigation they have found that the girl was not willing to meet Asaram for a ritual at Jodhpur's Manai ashram but her parents had insisted on her going there due to their blind faith in the godman.

"She had once complained of vomiting and dizziness at her gurukul at Chhindwara, following which her parents were informed and were told by the sewadars (caretakers) of the gurukul that she is serious and has been possessed by some evil spirit.
"They advised them to go to Bapu for special ritual in the name of exorcism. The girl refused and asked her parents to take her home for some days so that she can rest but her parents insisted on going to Bapu, who was in Jodhpur then and this is how they come here," DCP (West) Ajay Pal Lamba.

He said the investigation was considering the angle of any conspiracy against Asaram by the girl's family.
"Following the investigations by the police team at Shahjahanpur, the girl's native place, we have come to the conclusion that the father of the girl had blind faith in Bapu and was a regular visitor of bapu's ashram at Shahajanpur," Lamba said.
Mishra said they hope to have enough evidences with the arrival of the police teams and on the basis of it they will proceed with interrogation of Asaram.