Controversial Godman Asaram Bapu Appeals to Gujarat High Court, Seeks Suspension of Life Sentence in Rape Conviction
Asaram Bapu, the self-styled spiritual leader, has filed an application through advocate Ashish Dagli, urging the Gujarat High Court to suspend his life sentence for repeatedly raping a female disciple. In his plea, Bapu highlights that an appeal challenging his conviction has already been submitted to the High Court and argues for the temporary suspension of his jail term, citing the possibility of success in the appeal and the potential delay in its hearing. Bapu further claims that the prosecution's case is a fabricated conspiracy motivated by disgruntled witnesses seeking monetary gains and revenge for their expulsion from his ashram. Emphasizing the delayed filing of the First Information Report (FIR) and questioning the credibility of prosecution witnesses, the plea asserts that Bapu's conviction is based on false allegations. The application also notes Bapu's advanced age, 84, and deteriorating health conditions during his prolonged incarceration. The matter was scheduled for a hearing on Tuesday before Justices AY Kogje and Hasmukh Suthar, who adjourned the session until August 17. Asaram Bapu is already serving a life sentence in two other sexual offense cases and has been in Jodhpur jail since his arrest in 2013.
TAGS: Controversial godman Asaram Bapu Gujarat High Court rape conviction suspension of sentence life sentence female disciple appeal application advocate fabricated conspiracy prosecutrix prosecution witnesses ashram First Information Report (FIR) enmity witnesses ill-conduct false cases forceful sexual intercourse senior citizen age-related ailments division bench Justices AY Kogje Hasmukh Suthar adjourned hearing August 17 survivor confined outskirts of Surat city repeated rape sexual offense cases Jodhpur jail.
