The Asaram Case: Trials and Tribulations in Gunning for the Godman | EXTRACT

It’s no secret that the notorious Asaram Bapu, convicted for the rape of a minor, and charged with murder, fought long and hard to escape the legal system. The following extract from Gunning for the Godman shows how the PRO (Public Relations Officer) tried to paint an inaccurate picture of what passed on the night of the incident, and how the police managed to publicly counter each false claim:

The media interactions also helped to counter the narrative that the PRO of Asaram, Neelam Dubey, was trying to build. Every day, she would say something which the media would lap up, but the very next day, when I would counter her assertions with the facts of the investigation, she would be forced to retract her statements. The interactions went on somewhat like a game of chess. To every move the PRO made against the Jodhpur police, the latter was able to respond with an undeniable fact. As would be clear from some of the following examples of the statements that were being made by both sides, it was a game the PRO was losing badly.

Jodhpur Police: We got a complaint against Asaram and have registered an FIR of sexual
exploitation of a minor girl in Manai, Jodhpur on 15th August. Further details can be revealed only
after the investigation.
PRO of Asaram, Smt. Neelam Dubey: Bapu was not in Jodhpur on 15 August.

The next day…

Jodhpur Police: We have enough evidence and have established that Asaram was here in Jodhpur
at the Manai ashram on 15 August 2013.
PRO: Yes, Bapu was in Jodhpur, but never met the victim and her family.
The next day…
Jodhpur Police: The evidence collected so far proves that Asaram met the victim and her family.
PRO: Yes, Bapu met the victim, but in the presence of her family.

The next day…

Jodhpur Police: Asaram met the victim alone and that, too, late in the night.
PRO: Bapu met the girl alone, but the meeting was just like a meeting of a grandfather and
granddaughter.

The next day…

Jodhpur Police: Accusations of sexual assault of a minor against Asaram are proved on the basis of
evidence collected so far. If he has anything to prove his innocence, he shall present himself before
the investigating officer with concrete evidence.
No statement made by the PRO.

Gradually, the facts revealed by the police made Asaram’s public relations team defensive. On the other hand, the stand of the police was well substantiated and so began to be considered credible and correct.

 

For more shocking revelations about the infamous Godman, get your copy of Gunning for the Godman by Ajay Lamba and Sanjeev Mathur here: