Gujarat High Court stays arrest of Asaram aide

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat High Court today stayed the arrest of an aide of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and his son Narayan Sai in connection with a case of bribery lodged by Surat police.

Dr KD Patel of Ahmedabad, who used to look after the father-son duo's legal affairs, had moved court seeking the quashing of an FIR which states that, along with eight others, he had offered a bribe of Rs 13 crore to police officers who were investigating a rape case against Narayan Sai.

Justice GR Udhvani today ordered police to not arrest Patel until the court decided on his plea.

Surat police had in December of last year charged nine persons, including Patel, for allegedly trying to pay bribes.

Patel was on the run since then. Apart from him and Narayan Sai, police have filed a charge sheet against Sub- Inspector Chandu Mohan Kumbhani, Sai's secretary, Uday Sanghani, builder Ketan Patel, Hasmukh Upadhyay, Bhavesh Patel, Hitendra Waghela and Dhiraj Nariman.

Police have accused him of managing the money which was used to bribe the sleuths.

Sai, who was absconding for 58 days, was brought to the city on December 4 of last year after his arrest by Delhi Police.

Two sisters have lodged two separate complaints against Sai and Asaram for rape, sexual assault, illegal confinement, etc.

Asaram (72) is currently lodged in a Jodhpur jail after being arrested in September for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl at his ashram there.