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Tests prove Asaram Bapu is NOT impotent

September 02, 2013 08:50 IST

Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram, spent a day in police remand after being grilled by Jodhpur police for about four hours.

72-year-old Asaram, who was flown from Indore where he was arrested after midnight amid high drama, cleared a potency test conducted on him at the SN Medical college in Jodhpur on Sunday.

He was also taken to the Manai ashram, 30 km from Jodhpur, where the incident was recreated to verify the charge against him, Jodhpur DCP Ajay Pal Lamba said.

Asaram was later produced before District and Sessions Judge (Rural) Manoj K Vyas who remanded him to one-day police custody. Police had sought two-day custody of Asaram.

He has been kept under police custody at the RAC Battalion campus after his plea for being allowed to stay at his ashram was rejected.

Earlier, Jodhpur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph told reporters that there were still some issues that needed to be worked out for a "water-tight" case against Asaram.

Joseph said, "A potency test was conducted on him, which confirmed that he was strong enough to commit the crime of sexual assault and rape on the 16-year-old girl."

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Tests prove Asaram Bapu is NOT impotent

September 02, 2013 08:50 IST

Asaram was made to take the test after he told cops that he was impotent and therefore incapable of committing the crime he was charged with.

He has denied sexual assault charges lodged against him by the schoolgirl, the police commissioner said.

Joseph, meanwhile, refuted reports that Asaram was on a hunger fast and refusing to eat or drink anything.

"He is taking food and water," he said.

Asaram was brought by Rajasthan police team led by Additional Commissioner of Police Satish Jnagid. They were flown via Delhi in an Air India flight at about 1230 hours.

He was taken to Rajasthan Armed Constabulary Battalion Campus in Mandore where he was interrogated for four hours, police said.

Unprecedented security arrangements were made at the airport. Asaram's supporters shouted slogans at the Delhi and Jodhpur airports.

Asaram was arrested by the Jodhpur Police after midnight from his ashram in Indore and escorted by a large posse of police personnel to the airport, where he spent the night on a sofa in the VIP lounge.

His arrest followed an FIR filed by the girl alleging she was sexually assaulted by Asaram at his ashram in this Rajasthan city. 

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