Let law take its own course in Asaram case, says MP industries minister

Madhya Pradesh industries minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Thursday said law should be allowed to take its course in the case of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, facing charges of sexual assault on a minor girl.

The minister had earlier alleged that the charge against the godman could be "politically motivated". "I do not say anything about whether Asaram is right or wrong, but I strongly feel that the law should be allowed to take its course in his case," Vijaywargiya told PTI.

In case Asaram has done any wrong he would be punished or else he would be allowed to go free, he said. When asked about reports that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had reprimanded him for his comments on Asaram, the minister said "No such thing has happened."

On August 25, Vijaywargiya had alleged that the charge of sexual assault against Asaram Bapu could be "politically motivated" as he has been critical of top Congress leadership.

"Asaram is a saint. He openly speaks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi...It might be possible that the charges against him is a part of a political conspiracy by Congress," he had said in Indore.