Gujarat court sentences Asaram to life imprisonment in rape case

A local court in Gujarat’s Gandhinagar district on Tuesday sentenced self-styled Godman Asaram Bapu to life imprisonment in a case related to rape of a female disciple at his Ahmedabad-based Ashram.

The Sessions court in Gandhinagar had on Monday convicted Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, known by his devotees as Asaram Bapu, under Sections 376, 377, 342, 354, 357 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

The Court also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him. He was produced before the court through video-conferencing today.

Six other accused in the case, including Asaram’s wife, daughter and son, were acquitted due to lack of evidence.

Asaram is presently serving a life sentence in Jodhpur’s Central Jail in connection with a separate rape case, in which he was convicted in 2018.

An FIR was lodged at Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad against Asaram on the basis of a complaint lodged by a Surat-based girl in 2013.

The girl had alleged that Asaram repeatedly raped her during 2001 to 2006, when she was living at his ashram in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

Asaram was arrested by Jodhpur Police in 2013 and has remained behind the bars since.