The Special Investigation Team (SIT) looking into rape charges against Asaram Bapu by two Surat sisters, has said an aide used to arrange for abortions of the victims of the self-styled godman’s sexual abuse at the ashram.
The SIT, led by Ahmedabad Joint Police Commissioner J.K. Bhatt, has obtained an extension of the 72-year-old’s remand till October 22 to look into this disclosure made by one of the girls in Asaram’s presence.
The court had granted a 10-day police remand, which has now been extended by three days.
Mr. Bhatt told reporters on Saturday evening that a woman administrator of the ashram, used to organise the abortions and medical treatment of the rape victims. Informed sources said she played a key role in getting girls for Asaram and his son Narayan Sai.
The police have started investigating in which hospitals the abortions were made and who were the doctors involved.
Asaram, who had all along denied that he knew the girl, was aghast at seeing her and even broke into tears. He, however, admitted that she had stayed at the ashram and that she had come to see him at his cottage. However, he maintained that he had not raped her.
He has reportedly cleared the second potency test conducted on him.
Narayan Sai, who is alleged to have repeatedly abused and raped the other sister when she stayed in the ashram in Surat, is still absconding. Police sources said he was changing SIM cards of his mobile phone to avoid being traced. His anticipatory bail plea is scheduled to come up for hearing in a Surat court on Monday.
Asaram’s wife and daughter Laxmi and Bharti presented themselves before the Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad and surrendered their passports as a part of the conditions set by the Gandhinagar Sessions Court while granting anticipatory bail.
