Defamation case: Bihar court takes cognizance of Asaram Bapu's role

Patna, Apr 22 (ANI): A Bihar court on Thursday taken cognizance of spiritual guru Asaram Bapu and two others role in connection with a defamation case lodged by the Bihar State Religious Trust Board.

Judicial Magistrate Divya Vashishtha took cognizance of the charges against Asaram Bapu, Swami Narendra Goswami and Jai Kumar Singh under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The court would decide on issuing summons to Asaram Bapu on April 24.

In March 2009, Board's Administrator Kishore Kunal had lodged a complaint in the court against the three persons, accusing them of organising a procession and using unparliamentary language to tarnish his image.

Kunal had alleged that Bapu's men had assaulted police officials and Board staff when they had gone to execute a court order to free the property of Bhikhamdas Ram Janki Thakurwadi Kadamkuan here from forcible occupation of Bapu and his men on May 4, 2009. (ANI)