Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Friday refused to provide regular guarantees to Asaram aka Asumal Harpalani in connection with the accusation of the rape he had faced for the past eight years, but directed the court of trial in Gandhinagar to complete the court and said the verdict at the beginning possible, preferred in four months.
Asaram was arrested in 2013 after the former worshiper accused him of rape.
His family members and several followers have been charged with alleged crime.
He sought guarantees from the High Court by quoting his long detention without a one-day release.
He quoted his weak health and advanced age to encourage his case for guarantees.
The state government opposed the Plea Guarantee with the Assistant Prosecutor R C Kodekar handed over that if released on guarantee, it would endanger the security of witnesses and there was a possibility of damaging evidence.
He handed over it since Asaram was charged with rape, three witnesses had been killed and someone could not be traced.
However, Asaram’s advice against this dispute argued that Asaram had not been involved in this murder case.
To fight Asaram’s argument that the trial can take a long time because the strange 30-witnesses have not been questioned, the state government proposes that around 25 witnesses, which are on the list of witnesses, will be imposed and the trial court will soon be told about this.
The prosecution will now examine only four witnesses including investigative officers, and their examination may not be long.
In addition, the state government also said that Asaram had been sentenced to life imprisonment for rape and protection of children from the allegations of sexual violations (Pocso), and demand for suspension of sentences had not been received by the Rajasthan High Court.
After hearing the argument, justice A Jea Desai noted that Asaram’s advocate did not debate the case in achievement, but the health of the defendant, his detention for eight years and his age was a factor that guarantees consideration.
The judge sets the deadline for settlement of trial and delivery of assessment.
The High Court also asked the parties to work with the court for a fast process and not to seek unnecessary delays.
(The identity of the victim has not been disclosed to protect his privacy in accordance with the direction of the Supreme Court about cases related to sexual violence)