A self-styled godman Asaram on Wednesday held his head and cried after the Jodhpur court sentenced him to life imprisonment for raping a teenage girl in his ashram five years ago.
Self-styled godman Asaram on Wednesday held his head and cried after the Jodhpur court sentenced him to life imprisonment for raping a teenage girl in his ashram five years ago.
The teenager from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh was studying at the godman's ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. In her statement, the girl had alleged that Asaram called her to his ashram and raped her on the night of August 15, 2013.
Special judge Madhusudan Sharma's verdict, which comes as the debate over sexual violence, particularly the rape of minors, intensifies across the country, was read out in the Jodhpur Central Jail where 77-year-old Asaram has been kept for over four years.
The special court for SC/ST cases convicted two other accused, Shilpi and Sharad and sentenced them to 20 years in jail. However, the court acquitted two, Prakash and Shiva.
After he was being taken out of the court, he reportedly told the constable, 'Khayengi, Piyenge aur jail me mauj karenge'. (Will ear, drink and have a good time in jail)
Asaram was shifted to barrack no. 2 in Jodhpur Central Jail. But soon after, he started complaining of having chest pain. His lawyers said that they will appeal in High court and alleged the court mandate was given under pressure of media reports.
Asaram was charged for sexual assault, raping and illegally confining a minor, according to 1,300-page charge sheet filed by Rajasthan Police.
Final arguments in the Asaram case were completed on April 7 and the court had kept the order reserved for April 25.
Asaram was arrested in Indore and brought to Jodhpur on September 1, 2013. He was under judicial custody since September 2, 2013. Asaram is also facing a rape case in Surat in Gujarat in which the Supreme Court earlier this month gave five weeks time to the prosecution to complete the trial. Asaram unsuccessfully moved 12 bail applications, of which six were rejected by the trial court, three by the Rajasthan High Court and three by the Supreme Court.
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