SC to Guj: Why delay in rape trial of Asaram?

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Gujarat government to explain the inordinate delay in the rape trial involving selfstyled “godman” Asaram Bapu.

A bench comprising Justices N.V. Ramana and Amitava Roy asked additional solicitor-general Tushar Mehta, appearing for Gujarat, why the victim was not examined so far. The ASG pleaded for some more time to examine the victim and witnesses. The judges asked the ASG to file an affidavit, and posted the matter for further hearing after Diwali. In April, the court had directed the trial court to expedite the examination of the prosecution witnesses.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Gujarat government to explain the inordinate delay in the trial of self-styled “godman” Asaram Bapu in a rape case for which he was arrested in 2013.

A bench comprising justices N.V. Ramana and Amitava Roy asked additional solicitor general (ASG) Tushar Mehta, appearing for Gujarat, to explain why the victim has not been examined so far. The ASG pleaded that some more time may be required for examination of the victim and other witnesses. The bench asked the ASG to file an affidavit in this regard and posted the matter for further hearing after Diwali.

The court had in April directed the trial court in Gujarat to expedite the examination of prosecution witnesses while rejecting the Asaram’s bail plea. The godman was asked to seek bail after the conclusion of the examination of key witnesses as well as the trial in Rajasthan, which is being held on a day-to-day basis.

Senior counsel Sanjay Hegde, appearing for the petitioner, informed the bench that the proceedings in Gujarat are lagging behind and that there is an inordinate delay in the examination of witnesses.