Rape-accused priest denied bail by court

Vadodara: A sessions court rejected bail plea of rape accused Dr Prashant Upadhyay, priest of Shri Baglamukhi Brahmastra Vidya Mandir. He is accused of raping a married woman in March.
Upadhyay, who had first come under scanner for cheating his follower, had filed a bail application on July 4 as his custodial interrogation would not be necessary since the chargesheet in the case has already been submitted in the court.
Upadhyay also said that the physical relationship with the 28-year-old complainant was consensual and for three years she did not approach police against him. The bail was, however, opposed by police through an affidavit which was upheld by the court of additional sessions judge H G Pandya. “The accused has done a shameful act as the complainant used to look up to him as a ‘guru’ and had gone to him to share her household issues. The court also considered the argument that in the past a case of cheating and assault was also registered against him,” said district government pleader Anil Desai.