The Gujarat High Court has denied anticipatory bail to J P Swami, also known as Jagat Pawandas Swami, in connection with a 2016 rape case involving a minor in Vadodara.
The case involves a 15-year-old disciple’s daughter who was reportedly abused and raped by the priest of the Vadtal sect at the Wadi Swaminarayan Temple nearly ten years ago. The victim, now 23 years old, lodged a complaint at the Wadi police station in Vadodara on June 8.
At the time of the incident, the accused Swami contacted the survivor’s father at around 10:30 p.m. Through WhatsApp on her father’s phone, Swami and the survivor maintained communication.
On the night of September 10, 2016, J P Swami instructed the survivor to go to a room at the temple, where he raped her while threatening to kill her family if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
Following the incident, Swami extorted the survivor by demanding explicit pictures and videos, which she felt compelled to provide under pressure. The day after the rape, he gave her a contraceptive pill, which she took as per his instructions.
After a Vadodara court denied him bail, Swami approached the High Court, arguing, “The complainant has filed a false complaint. The complaint was submitted eight years after the incident.” However, the prosecution vehemently opposed his bail application, stating, “The girl was a minor at the time of the incident (15 years old). The accused inflicted a heinous act upon her that tarnished the sanctity of a saint.”
The prosecution further asserted, “There is strong evidence against the accused. A 92-page WhatsApp chat was presented before the court, which established the relationship between J P Swami and the girl. Given the gravity of the crime, he should not be granted anticipatory bail under any circumstances, as there is a possibility of him fleeing the country.”
According to the complaint, the situation began in 2014 when the survivor was in Class 10 and attended the Wadi Swaminarayan Temple. Jagat Pawandas Swami, the then Kathori Swami of the temple, would often stare at her.
After eight years, the complainant and survivor filed a formal complaint, stating, “I did not inform my parents about this because the Swami had my explicit videos and pictures. I did not complain as I lacked the courage. My parents are unaware of this complaint.”
On November 30, 2019, J P Swami reportedly cut all ties with the survivor following his transfer from Wadi. Ultimately, the High Court rejected Swami’s bail request, siding with the prosecution’s allegations.
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