Asaram case verdict on Wednesday, MHA asks 3 states to tighten security

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, April 24 

On the eve of Asaram’s rape case verdict in Jodhpur Central Jail premises by the SC-ST Court, security has been stepped up and prohibitory orders issued in the city.

Apprehending a threat to law and order, the Centre asked Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana governments to tighten security and deploy additional forces as the three states have a large number of followers of the 77-year-old.

In a communication, the Union Home Ministry told the three states to beef up security and ensure that no violence takes place after the judgment tomorrow. The three states were also told to deploy additional forces in sensitive places, a Home Ministry official said.

Rajasthan Police have promulgated prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC, stopped entry of Asaram’s followers and two of his ashrams in the city have been evacuated to avert any untoward incident as occurred in Panchkula after Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s verdict last year. 

The Jodhpur Central Jail would be fourth in the history of the country to set up a special court inside the premises after Tihar Jail in late Indira Gandhi’s assassins Beant Singh and Satwant Singh case, Arthur Road Jail for terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab, and Sunariya Jail for Sirsa Dera head Gurmeet Ram Rahim.  

Jawans of five Rajasthan Armed Constabulary, cops from local police stations and Railway Protection Force have been deployed in sensitive areas and around the jail premises under the direction of the high court that ordered the police to maintain law and order at all costs in view of the court judgement, DCP-East Aman Deep Singh said. 

Police have been keeping a close vigil on all ashrams and ‘dhramshalas’ in the state and would not allow any of his followers till April 30, the DCP said. 

About 20 followers were told to leave Asaram’s ashram in Pal village, about five other followers were not allowed to stay in the city, he said, adding the routine staff and caretakers of shops at these ashrams have been asked to stay inside the premises. 

Cops in plain clothes have been deployed at all concerned places to ensure that no miscreant or follower could stay or come out from anywhere tomorrow, he claimed.

Hotels and guest house owners as well as operators of the dhrarmshala have also been instructed not to allow any follower or visitor from Gujarat.

Media would be allowed to interact with the lawyers at specially planned areas in the outer circle of the jail, DCP said. 

On April 17, after considering the Jodhpur Police Commissioner’s appeal, a Division Bench of Rajasthan High Court had ordered the SC-ST Court to deliver its verdict in Central Jail premises on April 25 in view of self-styled godman’s thousands of followers who might create law and order troubles in case of adverse decision. 

The Division Bench comprising of Justice Gopal K Vyas and Ram Chandra Singh Jhala also issued guidelines to the Jodhpur Police Commissioner, and District Magistrate and Collector to ensure law and order in the city on the verdict day. 

The Bench also directed that Asaram case’s lawyers, public prosecutor and related staff be allowed to enter the jail premises with easy access. 

The SC/ST trail court Judge Madhu Sudan Sharma had completed the final arguments in the case on April 7. 

Since 2013 when Asaram was arrested and brought from Indore, and jailed in Jodhpur Central jail, there have been many clashes between the police and followers and 69 cases have been registered, including those in which even police officers have been bullied and threatened during court trials. 

The AAG also quoted Ram Rahim case at Panchkula which witnessed large scale destruction of public property and violence. 

A minor girl from Saharanpur (UP) had accused Asaram of rape during her stay in his ashram in Manai village on the outskirts of Jodhpur.

Asaram, who is jail since August 31, 2013, was booked under relevant sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and the SC/ST Act.

Asaram was denied bail by the Supreme Court. If found guilty and he is convicted, Asaram could face maximum imprisonment of 10 years.

HC dismisses scribes’ plea to enter Jodhpur Central Jail 

A Division Bench of Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday dismissed a joint petition of journalists who sought permission to enter Jodhpur Central Jail for the coverage of Asaram’s rape case proceedings on Wednesday inside the jail premises. 

In its order on the petition of Chandra Shekhar and Rakesh Kumar Bhardwaj, the Bench of Justices GK Vyas and RS Jhala said it was true that media is fourth pillar of democracy and it required to perform its pious duty but at the same time it is the prime duty of every citizen to be cooperative with the administration for maintaining public order. 

Therefore, no such permission can be granted to allow media personnel in the court premises or in the Central Jail for the purpose, the order said.

However, the court opined that media personnel may make coverage from outside the jail premises as per the instructions of the administration.