Self-styled Godman Asaram Bapu Sentenced To Life Imprisonment In 2013 Rape Case

The controversial self-styled godman and rape convict Asaram Bapu was sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Gandhinagar on Tuesday. This ruling was adjudged in connection with a rape case registered in 2013. The prosecution argued for the strictest punishment mentioning that he is a "habitual offender". Also additional sessions judge DK Soni imposed a fine of ₹50,000 on Asaram, which will be paid as compensation to the victim.

Public Prosecutor RC Kodekar mentioned that he was sentenced under IPC Sections 376 (rape) and 377 (unnatural offences) in this sexual assault case.

This case pertains to a complaint by a Surat-based woman disciple in October 2013. She had accused Asaram of rape on several occasions from 2001-2006 when she was living at his ashram at Motera near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. An FIR was lodged at the Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad.

Asaram is convicted under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 2 (C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful detention), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 357 (assault) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Meanwhile, the rest of the six people accused in the case, including Asaram’s wife Laxmiben, their daughter Bharati, four disciples Dhruvben, Nirmala, Jassi and Meera as well as his son Narayan Sai, who were accused of aiding and abetting the crime, for want of evidence, were acquitted by the court, the prosecution said.

Asaram Bapu is currently lodged in a Jodhpur jail where he is serving life sentence in another case of rape and unnatural sex with a minor girl also staying at his ashram in Rajasthan in 2013.

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Arguing against the life sentence, the defence lawyer said they had no objection if Asaram was handed a 10-year imprisonment, Kodekar added.

"There is a provision of maximum life imprisonment or 10 years in jail for the offence for which Asaram has been convicted by the court. But, we have argued that he has already been convicted in another similar case in Jodhpur, and hence he is a habitual offender," Kodekar told reporters outside the court after the conclusion of the arguments earlier in the day.

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He said the prosecution had submitted before the court that Asaram should get the strictest punishment for the way he kept the victim captive, raped and sodomised her and forced her to remain confined in the ashram. The hearing of the case was held in-camera.