New Delhi [India], October 27 (ANI): The Delhi police on Monday sought more time to file a status report on the bail plea of Chaitanyanand Saraswati.

Police told the court that most of the victims are out of station due to the session break and could not be examined. Saraswati has been arrested in connection with an FIR lodged at the Vasant Kunj North Police Station for the alleged offence of molestation.

In view of the submissions by the Investigation Officer, the court listed the matter for arguements on November 7 at 2 PM. A further status report has been called.

The bail plea came up for hearing before Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Deepti Devesh at 10 AM. The investigation sought a passover. The matter was taken up again at 11.30 AM. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Ved Prakash appeared before the court and orally submitted that the investigation is in progress and sought a date after November 4.

Victims neither appeared through video conferencing nor were presented by any counsel.

ACP further submitted that he needs more time to file a status report, as most of the victims are out of the station due to the session break until November 4 and cannot be examined. The court took a serious view and said that the investigation is not a ground for adjournment.

The court asked the police to file a further status report.

On October 13, the court had sought a fresh reply from the Delhi police on the bail plea of Chaitanyanand Saraswati. During the hearing, the Delhi Police filed a reply to the bail plea. It is stated that statements of 16 victims have been recorded before the magistrate. The mobile phones of 5 victims have been seized, and those of 11 others are to be seized. It was also submitted that the FSL examination of results is awaited. The investigation is ongoing, and police are recording witness statements.

ACP Ved Prakash had submitted before the court that there are obscene photos and comments thereupon, and screenshots are available. A total of 5 persons, including three women, have been arrested. After some arguments, the counsel for the accused had sought an adjournment in view of the ongoing investigation. The court initially asked the counsel to withdraw the bail plea and said that the bail application cannot be adjourned for a long period.

Saraswati has moved an application seeking bail in a molestation case. He is running in judicial custody after police interrogation.

Patiala house court on October 3 remanded Chaitanyanand to 14 days' judicial custody in a molestation case. The judicial custody was extended on October 17.

The Delhi Police interrogated Chaitanyanand Saraswati for 5 days of custodial remand. It is alleged that he molested 17 girls in an educational institute in the Vasant Kunj area.

Chaitanyananda Saraswati was arrested in Agra on September 27 and brought to Delhi. Delhi police had produced him before the court, and he was granted a 5-day remand on September 28.

His earlier plea seeking anticipatory bail in a financial irregularities case was rejected by the Patiala House Court. (ANI)