The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the plea that allowed publishing house Harper Collins to release a book on religious leader Asaram’s conviction and arrest in a rape case.
The Delhi High Court in September had allowed the publication of the book titled “Gunning for the Godman”: The True Story behind Asaram Bapu’s Conviction. The district court has blocked the same. The book is the first hand account on the arrest and conviction of the religious leader. Asaram is currently serving the life-term in Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
On Friday, Advocate Devadatt Kamat appearing for the person named Shilpi, whose name is mentioned in the book, submitted before the High Court’s order was based on “flimsy grounds” and that the book was not based on facts.
Kamat said, “The book itself says it is dramatised. I [Shilpi] am depicted here to have been procuring women.” On reading the excerpts of the book before the court he said it was the attack on his client’s reputation.
Kamat informed the court that he raised the objections but they were not noted. On this Supreme Court dismissed the plea for relief in High Court. Supreme Court added that, top court will not come in a way on deciding the issue before the High Court.
Asaram was convicted in a separate rape case in Jodhpur, Rajasthan in 2018.He is currently serving the life-term. A rape case was filed by the 16 years old who accused him of raping her in 2013.
