New Delhi: Nearly five years after he was arrested, self-styled guru Asaram Bapu on Wednesday received a life term in jail, which will continue till his death, for raping a 16-year-old girl.
The verdict was pronounced from Jodhpur Central Jail, where Asaram was lodged, due to fear of adverse reactions from his followers. He was also fined Rs100,000 (Dh5,483) by the court.
The controversial godman was accused of rape, and trafficking under various sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Asaram, who started from a hut on the banks of the Sabarmati, created a Rs100 billion empire with 400 ashrams in India and other parts of the world in four decades.
In 2013, the young girl was left alone with Asaram at his Jodhpur ashram by her parents, since the spiritual leader’s aides promised them that he could “cure” her of evil spirits that had “most likely” possessed her. She later testified that he raped her and threatened to kill her if she revealed that to anyone.
On Wednesday, the father of the rape survivor thanked the judiciary for the verdict.
“We have got justice. I thank the judiciary. I want to thank everyone who supported us in this fight. I also hope the witnesses who were murdered or kidnapped get justice,” father of the rape survivor told media in Jodhpur.
Two of the preacher’s aides were also convicted and jailed for 20 years each, while two others were acquitted.
“This judgement is a lesson to people who think they can get away by committing sexual offences against children,” said Yashwant Jain, a member of National Commission For Protection of Child Rights.
On Wednesday, four states — Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat — were put on high alert.
Rajasthan Police had initiated unprecedented security measures around Jodhpur city. A 10-day prohibitory order from April 21-30 had also been issued.
“We have cleared up Asaram’s ashrams and asked all hotels and guesthouses to not allow any of his followers. We have been keeping an eye on bus and railway stations as well as the airport to ensure that his followers did not enter the city,” Jodhpur Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Amandeep Singh Kapoor told media in a press conference.
Asaram was arrested in Indore in Madhya Pradesh (MP) for the Jodhpur case and later moved to Jodhpur jail. During the Jodhpur trial, nine witnesses who testified against him were attacked, three of them died.
Asaram appealed 12 times for bail but was turned down each time. Of the four people accused along with him, two have been found guilty while two others have been acquitted.
The guru’s spokesperson said that they will appeal in the High Court (HC) against the verdict.
“We will discuss the matter with our legal team and then decide on our future course of action. We have confidence in our judiciary. We will challenge the verdict,” Asaram’s spokesperson Neelam Dubey told media.
Dubey said Asaram’s legal team would push for a bail.
“Earlier, getting bail was difficult as he was an undertrial. Now that we have an order, we will push hard for Asaram’s bail,” she said.
Former Deputy Inspector-General of Gujarat DG Vanzara on Wednesday came out in defence of Asaram. Vanzara, who was allegedly involved in fake encounter cases, stated that it was improper to dub Asaram a “rapist”.
“We respect the judgement and are not contesting or supporting any action proven in a court of law. However, it is improper to dub Asaram as rapist for being convicted in the sexual assault case. In the FIR lodged by the victim or in the charge sheet filed, nowhere does it say that she was raped. What it says is that he tried to touch her improperly,” he said.
Vanzara said the victim’s virginity was found to be intact when medical tests were carried out after the complaint.
“This was never a case of rape. The sentence is not based on rape committed. The victim said that Asaram had touched her with bad intent, which is also a crime. But I doubt whether Asaramji did so. He has been convicted in this matter but decision of any court is not final,” he added.
