Providing security to Asaram during court hearings puts Jodhpur cops in danger

JAIPUR: Providing security to Asaram when he is being produced in court for hearings in a case of sexual assault lodged against him is becoming a headache for the Jodhpur Police. Several incidents of so-called supporters clashing with the police have been reported in the recent past. As per police records, every time Asaram is brought before the court, at least one or two supporters are arrested for various offences like blocking roads, disturbing peace, attacking policemen and creating ruckus.

Police officials said majority of the supporters who have been arrested so far are from other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

"It seems that these protests are held in a planned manner. We have interrogated the so called supporters who were arrested and none of them seems to be such a die-hard follower of the self-proclaimed godman. These men are asked to come to Jodhpur by certain committees run by the trusts," a police officer said.

"We have to be extremely careful while escorting Asaram between the prison and the court for hearings in this case. As the dates are pre-determined, supporters know that when he is going to be produced. A huge number of people crowd the prison entrance as well as that of the court. Every time he is brought to the court, law and order situation becomes a major concern," the officer said.

The officer added that on Monday, the road leading to the court got jammed due to a crowd of supporters. The police had to use minor force to disperse the supporters as they refused to budge. The situation was the same when Asaram was produced again on Tuesday.

Jodhpur police had last month registered another case against him and his personal caretaker Shiva - who is out on bail in the same sexual assault case - and three of his followers for allegedly making a threat to his life of the station house officer (SHO) of Udaimandir police station through an instant messaging (IM) app WhatsApp.

"Shiva and other followers of Asaram are spreading messages that they want to kill me and my family members," SHO Harji Ram Patel alleged in his FIR.

Police said Patel has been the in-charge of security during the hearings of the self-styled godman's case and many of Asaram's followers pressurize police to allow them to meet the godman on the hearing days, to which the SHO did not give in.

Asaram has been named in the FIR given by the SHO while saying that his personal caretaker Shiva is trying to encourage other followers at Asaram's behest. Three other Asaram followers Roshan, Sandeep and Chetan have also been named in the FIR.

http://ift.tt/1l6DtgP assault case,Jodhpur police,ASARAM

Stay updated on the go with The Times of India’s mobile apps. Click here to download it for your device.