Asaram Bapu jailed for life: All you need to know about the 2013 rape case

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Feb 01, 2023: A Gujarat court on Tuesday sentenced self-styled godman Asaram Bapu to life imprisonment in a decade-old rape case.

 

Asaram Bapu was accused by a Surat-based woman of repeatedly raping her on multiple occasions while she was at his ashram in Ahmedabad’s Motera between 2001 and 2006.

WHAT’S THE 2013 CASE

The case against Asaram Bapu was registered in 2013 based on a complaint filed by the woman.

At the time, the 77-year-old godman was convicted under sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 354A (sexual harassment), 370(4) (trafficking), 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

Asaram’s son Narayan Sai was an accused in the case as well. Asaram’s wife Lakshmi, daughter Bharati, and four female followers -- Dhruvben, Nirmala, Jassi and Meera -- were also accused in the case. All of them were acquitted by the Gandhinagar court.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the prosecution claimed that Asaram Bapu, who is currently in Jodhpur jail in another rape case, was a "habitual offender" and sought a life sentence.

Gandhinagar Sessions Court Judge DK Soni delivered a verdict sentencing Asaram Bapu to life in jail.

Courtesy: India Today