Spiritual guru Anand Krishna, who is standing trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Tara, one of his students, said on Wednesday that he wanted the judges to visit his house at Ciawi, West Java, where the sexual assault allegedly occurred.
"They will realize that it is impossible to carry out sexual abuse there as the place is always crowded and never quiet from activities," said Anand Krishna at the South Jakarta District Court.
Today's trial, led by presiding judge Albertina Ho, was scheduled to hear testimony from three witnesses: namely, Faradiba Agustin, Dian Mayasari and Muhammad Djumaat Abrory Djabbar. However, only Faradiba Agustin attended the trial.
Dwi Ria Latifa, a lawyer for Anand Krishna, said that the witness' testimony was inconsistent and confusing.
"Once the witness said she was a plaintiff while another occasion she said that she was a witness for the victim," she said.
Dwi also said that the witness gave different answers to the same question asked by the three judges. "[To one judge], she said that Anand once molested her by putting his hand inside her clothes and she pushed his hand away. However, to one of the other judges, she said that Anand had touched her bra until she pushed his hand away. To the third judge, she said that Anand has touched her breast, until she pushed his hand away," Dwi explained.
Meanwhile, Faradiba said that she had told the truth. "In court, I told the judges what I know and what I experienced," she said.
Wijarningsih, Tara's mother, said that she was optimistic that the truth would be revealed. "I believe the bad guy will be sentenced," she said.
Anand is being tried for allegedly sexually assaulting one of his students. A judge who was previously overseeing the trial, Hari Sasangka, was discharged from the case and transferred to the Ambon High Court due to his special relationship with the witnesses in the case. (aaa)
