[BREAKING] Asaram Bapu rape case: Victim's father moves Supreme Court opposing godman's plea for bail, says victim and her family may be "killed"

The father of the rape victim in the Asaram Bapu case has moved Supreme Court opposing the plea for grant of bail to the godman, apprehending that his daughter and his family could be killed by Bapu's followers..The plea filed through Advocate Utsav Bains states that Asaram Bapu is highly influential, politically connected "and has a force of millions of blind followers around the country." It is further stated that the godman has a hired killer Kartik Haldar, who killed and attacked eyewitnesses and confessed to the police that Bapu ordered the killings.."10 eyewitnesses have been attacked and 3 of them died and in all likelihood the Petitioner if granted bail will organize revenge killing of the child rape victim and her family and of the rape victim and eyewitnesses pending at Surat, Gujarat," says the plea..The victim's father has submitted that during the course of the trial, he and his family members were threatened with dire consequences..The applicant has claimed that he has been threatened by the followers/henchmen of the petitioner and "shockingly the State of Uttar Pradesh has reduced security of the Applicant and his family and they are again very vulnerable to murderous attacks by the followers/henchmen of the petitioner.".The plea submits that the State-sponsored impunity of Asaram Bapu is "so grave and naked" that despite the fact that Haldar confessed to the police that he shot dead a key eyewitness on the orders of Bapu, the Uttar Pradesh Police is yet to question, interrogate or arrest the godman or even make him an accused after registering an FIR against him..It is further alleged that UP Police violated the Supreme Court judgment in Lalita Kumari to protect the godman because of his powerful political connections..The applicant states that he and his daughter are very apprehensive now that they would be killed in the same manner if Bapu is granted bail for medical reasons..Moreover, it is contended that Bapu is a habitual offender and is facing trial for similar serious offences of rape before the Sessions Court at Gandhinagar, Gujarat and a criminal case before a Metropolitan Magistrate at Jodhpur..Asaram Bapu had recently moved the top court seeking bail for his medical treatment at an Ayurveda centre. This, after the Rajasthan High Court had dismissed the bail application and directed the district and jail administration to ensure that proper treatment is provided to Bapu at a suitable medical institution..The State of Rajasthan opposed the grant of bail, stating that he wants to change the place of his custody under the guise of seeking medical treatment..[Breaking] Asaram Bapu has ulterior motive to change place of custody under guise of seeking medical treatment: Rajasthan govt to Supreme Court