Self-styled godman Asaram will spend the next 14 days in Jodhpur central jail, after a sessions court on Monday remanded him in 14-day judicial custody on charges of sexually assaulting a minor girl at his Jodhpur ashram on August 15.
District and session judge MK Vyas also turned down Asaram’s lawyer’s plea that the godman be sent to hospital as he was not feeling well, said state’s counsel and additional advocate general Anand Purohit.
Purohit said the prosecution told the court that Asaram will be provided health facilities if the need arises. Asaram’s lawyer, meanwhile, moved a bail application and the hearing on his plea is expected on Tuesday.
Jodhpur deputy commissioner of police Ajay Lamba said the police did not seek an extension of police remand as the investigation had been completed
“Our case is very strong and we have vital evidences against the accused. We are moving in the right direction. We will file chargesheet in the case soon,” he added.
Asaram remained calm during the hearing and told the court that he was unwell. Though disappointment was writ large on his face as he came out of the courtroom after the ruling, he asked his supporters to be patient and keep on meditating.
Read More: Asaram is potent, say police
He was taken to Jodhpur central jail, where he would be kept in a barrack number 1.
The 74-year-old Asaram was on Sunday remanded to police custody for a day after being grilled by Jodhpur Police for about four hours.
Earlier, asked about reports that Asaram was suffering from a neurological disorder, the DCP said, “It has been proved to be a lie. His son can say what he wants to say. We can’t comment on any body’s statement”.
“A team of doctors said he is perfectly OK. He is mentally and physically fit,” Lamba said, adding he will be soon produced before court to seek more time for investigation. The DCP, however, refused to reveal the results of the potency test.
Read More: Asaram quizzed for five hours on Sunday
“The accused is also taking food whenever served,” the DCP said.
Asaram had on Sunday cleared a potency test conducted on him at the SN Medical college in Jodhpur.He was also taken to his Manai Ashram, about 30 kms from Jodhpur, where the girl was allegedly sexually assaulted.
Police had conducted a physical verification and tried to create the scene of crime. Asaram has denied sexual assault charges lodged against him by the schoolgirl.
His arrest followed an FIR filed by the girl alleging she was sexually assaulted by Asaram at his ashram in this Rajasthan city.
Read more: Asaram threatened to kill my parents, says girl
Meanwhile, Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Ashok Singhal told a news channel that sending Asaram to jail was an “insult to Hinduism”.
But a spokesman of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) said he didn’t see a conspiracy in Asaram’s arrest and the truth will come out once the law takes its own course.
(With PTI inputs)