The SC ruled out to give any interim relief in favour of Asaram Bapu in the rape case of the minor

The Supreme Court ruled out giving any interim relief in favour of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in the rape case of a minor at his asaram, pending in Rajasthan. The charges level against him includes 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. He was arrested on September 1, 2013.

Asaram had moved bail application and dropping of charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The defence counsel, U U Lalit argued that according to the school-leaving certificate of the girl is a major at the time of alleged offence. Further he also contended that there is discrepancy between the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the Juvenile Justice Act in defining a “child” and the procedure to determine the age.

The SC Bench comprising of Justice B S Chauhan and Justice A K Sikri agreed to examine the issues relating to the age of the victim. But the court refused to give any interim relief to Asaram Bapu and two other accused.

The matter will be heard on 3rd July.

Read Live Law Story on Asaram Bapu’s plea seeking directions to restrain the media from publishing any news report/article related to the case here.

Read Live Law Story on Ram Jethmalani’s controversial arguments in Asaram Sexual Assault case here.

Legal News India, Supreme Court News, Supreme Court Judgment