India: Top godman Asaram Bapu booked on charges of sexual assault - Police worried at risk hurting the religious sentiments of a community

The Times of India

Sexual assault case registered against Asaram Bapu in Delhi
Raj Shekhar, TNN | Aug 21, 2013, 12.12 PM IST

A zero FIR under section 376 has been lodged at Kamla Market police station in central Delhi. (TOI Photo)
DELHI: Delhi Police on Wednesday booked self-styled godmanAsaramBabu on charges of raping a 16-year-old girl.

A zero FIR under section 376 has been lodged at Kamla Market police station in central Delhi. The case pertains to the rape of a girl at a hostel in Jodhpur and will be transferred there for further probe.

The case is being supervised by Joint CP Tejendra Luthra and inspector Pramod Joshi is investigating the matter. DCP Alok Kumar may question the godman, sources say.

The girl's father is a transporter in Shahjahanpur in UP. Jodhpur and Shahjahanpur police had earlier refused to lodge an FIR after which the victim came to Delhi and gave a complaint. A case was registered on Monday after a senior officer's approval.

The cops are approaching the case cautiously so as not to risk hurting the religious sentiments of a community.