Asaram Bapu

Asaram Bapu

ashram.org

Controversial spiritual leader Asaram Bapu is likely to receive a notice denying him any visits abroad until the case against him of sexually assaulting a minor is resolved.

As per reports, the Jodhpur Police sought a look-out notice for Asaram after he made them wait for hours at his Indore ashram.

"We have issued a request letter to Joint Director- Immigration in Delhi seeking look-out notice against Asaram who has been summoned by Jodhpur police in connection with a sexual exploitation case lodged against him," DCP Ajay Lamba told Press Trust of India.

A team of Jodhpur Police personally went to the ashram directing Asaram Bapu directing to appear for questioning in the rape case lodged against him.

Last week, a 16-year-old girl had lodged an FIR in Delhi accusing Asaram of sexually assaulting her at his Jodhpur ashram. The complaint was forwarded for investigation to the Rajasthan Police. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has asked the department to carry out the probe without coming under any political pressure, as the self-styled godman had claimed that he was well acquainted with Gehlot.

"Strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe," Gehlot had told reporters after meeting with Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde.

When police officials reached the Indore ashram on Wednesday, the spiritual made them wait for eight hours before personally accepting the notice to appear for questioning in Jodhpur.

Asaram has been booked on charges under sections 376, 342, 506 and 509 of the IPC, section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act in the alleged sexual assault case.

He has continued to deny the charges. Moreover, he has announced a reward of ₹5 lakh for anyone who proves him guilty.

The reward is mostly likely to end-up with the Jodhpur Police as they have found credible evidence against Asaram Bapu.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jodhpur, Ajay Pal Lamba, told a television news channel that his teams have collected evidence from Asaram's ashrams in Ahmedabad, Shahjahanpur, Gurukul and Indore. "We have verified the charges and found some evidence to prove it," he said.