A court in Rajasthan's Jodhpur town Monday extended, till Oct 11, the judicial custody of spiritual guru Asaram Bapu, arrested for sexually assaulting a minor girl, police said.

 

 The 72-year-old Asaram, lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail since Sep 1, was Monday presented before court of the district and sessions judge (Jodhpur rural), which passed the order.

 

 "Asaram was presented in the court following completion of his judicial custody today (Monday). Earlier, he appeared before the same court Sep 16," prosecution counsel Anand Purohit told IANS.

 

 Earlier, police had to carry out a baton charge to disperse violent supporters of Asaram Bapu who gathered in a large number in and outside the court premises.

 

 A 16-year-old girl on Aug 20 lodged a police complaint, accusing Asaram of sexually assaulting her at his ashram near Jodhpur.

 

 Asaram was arrested from his ashram in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and brought to Jodhpur Sep 1.

 

 Immediately after his arrest, Asaram filed an application for bail in the same court, which rejected the plea Sep 4.

 

 Asaram also filed a bail application in the Jodhpur bench of the Rajasthan High Court. The court will hear arguments Tuesday morning and is likely to take a decision the same day.

 

IANS