Ahead of Asaram verdict, Jodhpur turns a fortress
TWO SIDES LOCK HORNS FOR FIRST TIME IN 4 YRS IN BENGALURU TODAY
Jodhpur turned into a fortress with stringent security measures and prohibitory orders in place ahead of pronouncement of the verdict in the Asaram, 79, rape case on Wednesday.
The special judge of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act court will pronounce the verdict in the case in a court room within the Central Jail premises amid tight security. The jail administration has completed all preparations for the proceedings of the court room. Security of the prison campus has been increased.
Police personnel have been deployed at the residence of the Judge Madhusudan Sharma, who will pronounce the verdict. A personal security officer has been deployed for the security of the judge. Apprehending a threat to law and order from followers of Asaram, police are not taking any changes and have increased security in the city.
DCP (East) Amandeep Singh Kapoor said that around 1500 policemen will be deployed around the Central Jail premises, railway stations, roadways bus stand and court premises on Wednesday.
He said prohibitory orders were imposed in the Jodhpur Police Commissionerate area on April 21 under section 144 of the CrPC. Asaram’s ashram in Jodhpur is being regularly monitored.
The Railways and Roadways authorities have been asked to remain vigilant so that the suspects or individual followers can
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be identified. Checking of vehicles is being done on the highways leading into the city and check points have been set up at various places.
Singh said that regular checks of hotels and dharmashala are being done. Police are also gathering intelligence inputs so that there will be no untoward incident in the city on Wednesday.
Police have also made special traffic arrangements for Wednesday. Police said traffic would be prohibited between Nai Sadak crossroad and Badu House from 6 am. Traffic would also remain barred between the Railway Station (Gate number 2) and Jodhpur central jail. School buses, emergency vehicles and locals would be exempted from the ban.
The court had on April 7 reserved its judgment in the case for April 25 after the final arguments that stretched for over five months were completed.