New Delhi: The year 2013 saw huge controversies related to sexual abuse against women.Spiritual gurus, editors, retired judges,actors were found involved in cases of sexual abuse, though the last is yet to be heard in all these cases. Cases of sexual harassment at work places have become common and women who go to work feel themselves unsafe. Here is a list of 5 major sexual controversies in India during 2013:1. Asaram Bapu Asaram is a good example of crimes against women in the garb of religion. The self styled godman was booked by Jodhpur police for raping a minor girl student of his Chhindwara gurukul ashram on the night of Aug 15. The minor girl hailing from a UP town alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the 72 year old baba at his cottage in Jodhpur. After doing such a crime, Asaram had the audacity evade arrest for a few days before the Jodhpur police went to Indore and arrested him after a prolonged satsang. He is currently in Jodhpur jail and his bail pleas have so far been rejected.Several of his associates who entrapped the girl have also been jailed. 2. Narayan Sai Like father, like son, Narayan Sai was charged of sexual assault by two married sisters from Surat. The two sisters told Surat Police they were repeatedly raped by Narayan Sai in his ashrams, after which they fled. They told police that they were intimidated by Narayan Sai's men not to reveal details to police. Initially Narayan Sai denied charges but soon went underground to evade police. He has been declared an absconder by a local court of Surat on Novemebr 11, 2013. He is still to be caught but two of his associates have been arrested. 3. Tarun Tejpal The latest in the list is Tehelka magazine Editor, Tarun Tejpal. He has been accused of sexually assaulting a young journalist twice in a hotel lift in Goa during the Think Fest. Known for his sting operations, Tejpal had exposed bribes taken by army officers and politicians during NDA rule in 2001. The man who was once known for exposing the harsh reality of society, painted a black mark on his own image through his wrongdoings.He is currently in the custody of Goa police. 4. A.K. Ganguly A retired Supreme Court Judge A K Ganguly has been under the scanner due to a charged of alleged sexual harassment levelled by a law intern. The victim had written in her blog that she was sexually molested by the judge in a hotel room and also three other girls were assaulted. Ganguly has denied the allegations and a 3-member committee set up by the Supreme Court has been submitted to the Chief Justice of India. The jury is still out. 5. Suraj Pancholi Son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zareena Wahab, the aspiring actor has been in controversy over Jiah Khan's suicide case. Suraj was in a relationship with Jiah at the time of Jiah's death. Jiah's mother, Rabbya Khan had produced a suicide note, which was reportedly written by Jiah in which Suraj was blamed for the failing relationship. On June 3, Jiah Khan, 25, was found hanging in her Juhu apartment. Suraj, 22 was in a live-in relationship with Jiah. A note written by the actress revealed that she was sexually abused in the relationship. Five other love letters were also found that were exchanged between Jiah and Suraj. They revealed details like torture and abortion by Suraj. However, the actor has denied all charges and has been granted bail in the case after spending some days in jail.
