Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu, accused of sexual assault, in Jodhpur jail

In an apparent reference to religious preacher Asaram Bapu, who was arrested on Saturday for allegedly sexually assaulting a schoolgirl, the Supreme Court today slammed the 'hordes' of security around him."I am surprised by hordes of security persons around one accused. Everybody says these are aberrations but it has become a rule," said one of the two judges in the bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi, hearing a case on police reforms and cutting down VIP security."Mostly they start as drug peddlers and they either enter politics or religion, then they grab property and become more powerful. They are using tricks to hypnotise people. Law journals have instances of such people who commit heinous crimes."The sharp remarks came after Asaram's dramatic arrest in the presence of a huge contingent of police at his Indore ashram, after he played hide-and-seek with cops for a few days.Even before his arrest, the godman was always seen with a heavy security cover.

The 75-year-old godman is currently in Jodhpur Central Jail, after he was sent to 14-day judicial custody.The Rajasthan police said the heavy security is to prevent the guru's supporters from getting to him, and creating chaos. His supporters have clashed with the police and media in many cities.