Ashish Ranjan
In connection with a ten-year-old sexual assault case, a local court in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar on Tuesday, January 31, sentenced self-described godman Asaram bapu to life in jail. In a case of rape brought against Asaram bapu, the prosecution informed the sessions court earlier today that he is a “habitual criminal” and is seeking life in jail and a hefty punishment.
Asaram, a self-described godman, was found guilty of sexual assault on Monday (January 30) by the Gandhinagar Sessions Court. A woman from Surat accused Asaram of repeatedly raping her when she visited his ashram in Motera, Ahmedabad, almost ten years ago. Due to a lack of evidence, the court cleared six other defendants, including Asaram’s wife.
According to the FIR filed at the Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad, Asaram Bapu allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual assault against the woman between 2001 and 2006 when she was residing at his ashram outside of the city.
According to special public prosecutor RC Kodekar, “the court accepted the prosecution case and condemned Asaram under sections 376 2(C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), and other articles of the Indian Penal Code for illegal imprisonment, among others.”
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The contentious godman is currently detained in Jodhpur due to a separate rape case. In October 2013, a woman from Surat accused Asaram Bapu and seven other people of rape and unlawful detention; one of the defendants passed away while the case was pending. In July 2014, a chargesheet was submitted.
