Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, accused in the sexual assault case, was sent to police custody till October 19 by a Gandhinagar court on Tuesday. The police sought for 14-day remand of the 72-year-old alleged rapist in order to investigate charges against him. However, the court granted four-day police custody.
The controversial preacher, who is already in Jodhpur jail in a similar case and his son Narayan, were accused of rape by Surat based sisters between 1997 and 2006. According to complainants, Asaram allegedly assaulted elder sister sexually while his son did the same with the younger one.
On Monday evening, Asaram was arrested by Gujarat Police from Jodhpur Jail and brought to Ahmedabad Airport via Mumbai on transfer warrant. Amid tight security, he was taken to Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) headquarters where the septuagenarian was allowed to meet his lawyers.
When Asaram was brought before the court in the State capital, local lawyers shouted slogans against him. When he was offered a seat under fan in the court room, lawyers protested and insisted that he should be placed in the witness box.