Indian spiritual guru Asaram Bapu denies raping girl, 16, while her mother waited outside A controversial Indian spiritual guru has been arrested on suspicion of raping a teenage girl, police said. Asaram Bapu, 72, was detained at a retreat in central India before being transferred to Jodhpur for questioning. The 16-year-old girl has reportedly accused the Hindu religious preacher of raping her at his retreat. The Hindustan Times reported the victim told police she was assaulted by Asaram for an hour-and-a-half inside a locked cottage as her unsuspecting mother sat outside, chanting prayers for an "exorcism ritual" on her daughter. Bapu, who has hundreds of thousands of followers in India and worldwide and is well-known for his discourses on Hindu religion, has denied the charge. He sparked controversy last year with his views on the Delhi gang rape victim. There are a host of videos on his personal website and YouTube purporting to show his supporters protesting at the arrest. When he was arrested at his ashram they clashed with police and journalists gathered outside. The case is the latest in a series of high-profile rape cases in India that have fuelled public protests and raised questions about how police handle the cases and treat the victims. More about: Crime, India, Sex crime