JODHPUR: A sessions court in Jodhpur on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Asaram Bapu, currently in judicial custody.



Asaram, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram, was remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a local court in Jodhpur on Monday.



The prosecution was of the view that if granted bail, Asaram could influence the investigation.



The godman, who was arrested from his ashram in Indore in Madhya Pradesh last week, sought bail claiming that police erred in booking him under rape charge, which is non-bailable.



He claimed if the minor girl's complaint was found to be true, it would at best amount to a rape attempt.



Asaram's lawyer K.K. Manan told the court that the spiritual guru should be granted bail as even the alleged rape attempt was a bailable offence.



Earlier, Jodhpur Police said they are clear that they had enough evidence against Asaram Bapu in a case that is 'purely criminal' in nature.



"We have gathered sufficient evidence in the last ten days. Whatever has been said by the victim, we have collected the evidence which collaborate with her statement. We are making it a foolproof case," said Deputy Commissioner of Police Ajay Pal Lamba.



"There is no conspiracy. It's a pure criminal case. It is purely a criminal act. On the part of the police, whatever investigation and action is to be taken in such a case, we are doing that. Whatever the accused wants to say, he is free to say," he added.



Asaram was booked under Sections 376, 342, 506 and 509 of the IPC, Section 8 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act. (With inputs from agencies)



































