New Delhi, Jun 10 (UNI) The father of the rape victim in the Asaram Bapu case has approached the Supreme Court opposing the self-styled godman's bail plea, apprehending a threat to the life of his daughter and family by Bapu's followers.
The plea filed through Advocate Utsav Bains contended that Asaram Bapu is highly influential, politically connected "and has a force of millions of blind followers around the country."
On Friday, the Supreme Court had issued notice to the Rajasthan government on the plea by the life convict Bapu challenging a Rajasthan High Court order dismissing his plea for temporary suspension of sentence to undergo treatment at an ayurvedic centre near Haridwar in Uttarakhand.
The petitioner stated that till now 10 eyewitnesses have been attacked and in all likelihood, if Asaram is granted bail for medical reasons he may organise revenge killing of the child rape victim and her family and eyewitnesses of case pending at Surat, Gujarat.
The plea also said that the petitioner has been threatened by the followers/henchmen of the godman and shockingly the State of Uttar Pradesh has reduced security of the applicant and his family and they are again very vulnerable to murderous attacks by these henchmen.
The petition also pointed out that Bapu is a habitual offender and is facing trial for similar serious offences of rape before the Sessions Court at Gandhinagar, Gujarat and a criminal case before a Metropolitan Magistrate at Jodhpur.
Asaram is serving a life term at Jodhpur Central Jail in connection with the rape of minor girl.
On May 5, he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was shifted to AIIMS, Jodhpur.
He was also convicted in a 2002 rape case and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
UNI JW SHK2020