As demands for arrest of Asaram Bapu, who is facing allegations of sexual assault on a 16-year-old girl have grown in the last few days, Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot met home minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday and apprised him of the developments in the case and promised strict action. The Rajasthan CM also told reporters that nobody is above law, but evaded a direct reply on the possibility of Asaram’s arrest. Asaram Bapu has been accused by a 16-year-old girl of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur city. The Union home ministry has written to governments of Rajasthan, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh to send reports on complaints of sexual offence allegedly committed by the self-styled godman. The MHA, which has twice written to the states, is still awaiting detailed reports on the status of the cases and findings of the investigations from the state authorities. After meeting Mr Shinde at his residence, Mr Ghelot said: “Let me reiterate that the police should not come under any pressure while conducting its investigation and it will not happen. Strict action will be taken based on the outcome of the probe.... Saints should maintain sanctity in society so that there is no scope of raising fingers of accusations against them. They are revered and respected and are connected with religious beliefs.” Meanwhile, Left party leader Brinda Karat accused the Gehlot government of going soft on Asaram and said that by not taking action against the self-styled godman the state government is sending out a message that if one has clout he can get away by committing such acts. The matter was also raised in Parliament on Tuesday where several Rajya Sabha MPs have demanded strict action against Asaram. A Jodhpur police team on Tuesday had delivered summons to Asaram in this case. involving a minor and asked him to appear before the Jodhpur police for questioning by August 30. The allegations however have been denied by Asaram Bapu and his close aides. The 16-year-old girl, who has accused the spiritual leader of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Jodhpur, hails from Uttar Pradesh.
