IGNORING the summons, self-styled godman Asaram Bapu on Friday (August 30) failed to appear before police in Jodhpur for questioning in a sex assault case and its team headed to Bhopal to interrogate him and make an arrest if he does not provide “concrete” defence.
As the chorus for action against 72-year-old Asaram grew loud, the Jodhpur police rejected his plea for extending the deadline for his appearance which ended on Friday. Police said he is currently located in Bhopal.
“We have received a fax from bapu on Friday evening stating that on account of his ill-health and death of his relative, he was not able to come on Friday and sought more time for appearance before the police for investigation.
But we have decided not to give him any relief as we have no strong ground to believe, what he said in the fax”, Jodhpur DCP Ajay Pal Lamba told reporters.
Regarding the possibility of Asaram’s arrest, Lamba said that as of now the police had adequate and strong evidence against him enabling it to make an arrest but it will give him a chance to prove his innocent during interrogation.
“If he does not have concrete defence he will be arrested,” he added. Asaram is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old schoolgirl and inmate of his Jodhpur ashram.
On the possibility of his changing the location, Lamba said stand-by teams are also ready to leave for any destination. “If he leaves from Bhopal, his current location, they (the teams) will be ready to go after him.”
Police has also taken into account any untoward situation that may arise during his arrest, he said.
“We have spoken to the MP police and have been assured of every cooperation in case of any law and order threat arising due to his arrest”, Lamba said.
