SHIVA.

▮ Identity sealed · POCSO §23

Co accused, Asaram's disciple/guard

Rajasthan

“Shiva is a personal guard and helper of Asaram Bapu who was co-accused in the Jodhpur rape case. Shiva was acquitted of all conspiracy and abetment charges by the Special Jodhpur Court in April 2018 due to a lack of incriminating evidence.”

Shiva, whose official name is Shiva Kumar, served as a personal security guard and assistant to Asaram Bapu at the Motera and Jodhpur ashrams. Following the sexual assault complaint in August 2013, Shiva was arrested by the Jodhpur Police. The prosecution alleged that Shiva acted as a gatekeeper on the night of August 15, 2013, standing guard outside Asaram's personal cottage (kutir) in Manai and actively preventing the victim's family from entering while the assault was taking place.

During the five-year trial, Shiva's legal team challenged the prosecution's narrative, presenting evidence that Shiva's duties were strictly confined to general ashram security and did not involve any criminal conspiracy. The defense emphasized that the victim's family did not report any physical coercion or direct threats made by Shiva on the night of the incident. Furthermore, forensic analysis of Shiva's mobile phone did not yield any evidence linking him to the planning of the crime.

On April 25, 2018, Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma acquitted Shiva of all charges alongside co-accused Prakash. The court determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Shiva had intentionally aided Asaram Bapu in committing the offense or that he was part of a conspiracy to facilitate the assault. While Asaram was sentenced to life, Shiva was ordered to be released immediately.

After his release from Jodhpur Central Jail, Shiva remained quiet and distanced himself from the active management of the Asaram Bapu Trust. His case highlights the challenges faced by investigators in establishing the precise level of involvement of personal staff in crimes committed by powerful spiritual leaders. Shiva has since lived in anonymity, avoiding media interviews.