Gujarat High Court rejects Asaram Bapu's petition
Ahmedabad, Nov.21 (ANI)
The Gujarat High Court on Wednesday rejected godman Asaram Bapu's petition challenging the order of the Justice (retd) D K Trivedi Commission, probing the death of two boys staying in his Gurukul in 2008, which had directed him to appear before it as a witness on December 1, 2012.
Justice Paresh Upadhyay, while dismissing Bapu's petition charged him with concealing the fact that a similar petition was filed in the court in July this year which was also rejected by the court and directed him to deposit Rs.25,000 as the cost of litigation.
"It is not only suppression of facts by the petitioner but can also be termed as a frivolous petition, the petition is hence needed to be dismissed," the court observed in its order and directed Bapu to deposit the amount within six weeks.
Justice (retd) D K Trivedi Commission of inquiry had earlier this year issued summons to Bapu and his son Narayan Sai to appear before it for the examination as witnesses.
The father-son duo had consistently and on different grounds delayed their appearances.
Bapu had in October requested the Commission either to visit his Ashram at Motera and examine him or take the help of video conferencing for the purpose.
The Commission rejected the request, and directed both Narayan Sai and Bapu to remain to appear before it on November 11 and December 1, respectively.
On November 11, Narayan Sai appeared before the panel which examined him for almost eight hours.