DG Vanzara, one of the accused in the Ishrat Jahan encounter case, on Wednesday came out openly in support of self-style godman Asaram saying that terming Asaram as ‘rapist’ is improper.
The retired DIG in Gujarat police reacted on a verdict of a special court in Jodhpur which held Asaram guilty of rape. Vanzara said that he would respect the judgement by the court and not contesting or supporting his action as Asaram was convicted in sexual assault case.
“Nowhere in the FIR lodged by the victim or the chargesheet say that he has raped. The FIR says that he has improperly tried to touch her,” said the former cop who after the verdict rushed to Asaram’s home in Ahmedabad. Vanzara is one of the many followers of the godman since he was a junior IPS officer. He further said that even the victim never stated that Asaram raped her.
Vanzara said that the victim’s virginity found to be intact even during the medical test carried out on her. The sentence is not basis of having committed rape, he said adding that the victim has said that he had touched her with bad intent.
“This is also a crime but whether Asaram did so is suspect. Bapuji has been convicted in this matter but decision of any court is not final. We respect this decision but will go to the higher court against it. We believe that we will get justice,” he added. This not the first time the former IPS came out in support of Asaram, in the past too he claimed that the case against the godman was fabricated.
In 2016, he stated the case against Asaram was framed up and FIR against him was faked. Terming Asaram as protector of Sanatan Hindu religion, he went on to say that the case was nothing but conspiracy against him.