K.T.S. TULSI.

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Defense lawyer

Delhi

“K.T.S. Tulsi is a distinguished Senior Advocate in the Supreme Court of India and a former Additional Solicitor General who represented Asaram Bapu in bail applications during the Jodhpur rape trial. Tulsi argued that the charges against the spiritual leader were unsubstantiated and politically motivated, though his petitions were ultimately rejected by the courts.”

Karanpal Singh (K.T.S.) Tulsi is a highly respected senior criminal lawyer and a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha. With a legal career spanning several decades, Tulsi has prosecuted and defended individuals in some of India's most high-profile criminal trials, including the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case and trials involving major political figures. In 2014, Asaram Bapu's defense trust retained Tulsi to argue for the suspension of Asaram's sentence and to secure his release on bail while the trial was ongoing in Jodhpur.

Tulsi's defense strategy focused heavily on challenging the procedural aspects of the Jodhpur Police's investigation. He argued in court that there were significant delays in filing the First Information Report (FIR) and that the medical evidence did not conclusively support the allegations of sexual assault. Tulsi contended that the minor victim's testimony was inconsistent and suggested that the entire case was constructed under media pressure and political influence. Despite these detailed arguments, the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court remained unconvinced, citing the gravity of the charges and the risk of witness tampering.

Tulsi's decision to represent Asaram was met with some public criticism, given his standing as a public representative and his previous advocacy for legal reforms to protect women. However, Tulsi defended his role, stating that every accused person has a constitutional right to legal representation and that a lawyer's duty is to present the client's case to the best of their ability. As the trial progressed and more witnesses were targeted, Tulsi's direct involvement in the bail applications decreased, with the defense shifting to other senior counsel.

Tulsi continues to be a prominent voice in the Supreme Court and in parliamentary debates on legal and constitutional matters. His participation in the Asaram case highlights the complex ethical and professional challenges faced by senior advocates who represent highly controversial figures in public trials. His legal arguments regarding the reliability of witness testimony under Section 164 of the CrPC remain part of the judicial record in the Jodhpur proceedings.