Police demand shifting of rape accused godman Asaram's trial to jail

JAIPUR: The

Jodhpur police

have again moved a petition before Rajasthan high court for shifting the trial of rape accused Asaram to the jail premises as every time the self-styled godman is brought to courtroom for trial, his followers create a melee on the court premises.

The police were, however, put on the back foot after

Udai Mandir

police station's SHO;

Madan Beniwal

allegedly manhandled a designated senior advocate

Sajjan Raj Surana

who appeared for the godman. The incident occurred during the chaos to disperse Asaram's followers on court premises on Saturday.

The high court has asked the SHO to explain in writing within three days why he misbehaved with the counsel of Asaram.

Commotion prevailed in the court premises as police resorted to lathi-charge on Asaram's followers who created a scene on the court premises on Saturday. When counsel Sajjan Raj Surana was speaking to media opposing the police action on Ashram's followers, SHO Madan Beniwal allegedly pushed him aside.

On Monday lawyers across the state protested wearing black badges demanding action against the police officer for manhandling the senior lawyer.

The SHO reasoned that most of Asaram's followers reach the court dressed as lawyers, so he could not distinguish the senior lawyer from the crowd.

The court, however, asked the SHO to give a written explanation. The court directed Asaram's lawyer, too, to control the godman's followers. The court warned that the trial would otherwise be shifted to the jail again.

The high court registrar in 2015 had ordered shifting of the trial to the jail but when Asaram challenged the order, the high court allowed the trial to be held in the court on the condition that the self-styled godman will not interact with the media.

Asaram was arrested by the Jodhpur police on August 31, 2013 on a complaint that he sexually assaulted a minor girl at his ashram at Manai village. Since then he is in jail. The next date of hearing is January 17.