Jodhpur: The Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court on Wednesday, convicted self-styled godman Asaram of raping a teenager at his ashram in 2013.
The verdict was pronounced by Special Judge (SC/ST court) Madhusudhan Sharma on the Jodhpur Central jail premises. The arguments had ended on April 7 and the verdict was due today.
“We will discuss with our legal team and then decide our future course of action. We have confidence in our judiciary,” says Neelam Dubey, Asaram’s spokesperson.
After conviction, the self-styled godman could be jailed for a minimum of 10 years.
The five charges that have been been proven against Asaram Bapu are, raping minor girl, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy and sexual harassment.
The victim had alleged that Asaram had called her to his ashram near Jodhpur, and along with his aides raped her on the night of August 15, 2013. Of the four people accused along with him, two have been found guilty, two others acquitted.
The girl was reportedly brought to Asaram’s ashram for treatment after she fainted one day at her school.
A day ahead of the judgement, adequate security arrangements were put into place outside the victim’s residence. Security forces also conducted a flag march in Jodhpur.
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana – the three states with large following of Asaram – were asked by the Union Ministry to beef up security ahead of the judgment.
Asaram, 77, has been lodged at the Jodhpur Central Jail since his arrest in 2013. He had applied for bail 12 times and his application was rejected every time.
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