Asaram Rape Case Live: Godman Sentenced to Life Imprisonment Till Death

Nearly five years after rape charges were levelled against self-styled godman, Asaram Bapu, the Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court today awarded life imprisonment to Asaram till death, while the two other co-accused got 20-year term. The judgement in the case was pronounced inside the Jodhpur Central Jail.

The five charges levelled against Asaram Bapu were, raping minor girl, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, criminal conspiracy and sexual harassment.

Asaram, who is currently lodged in the Jodhpur Central jail, was facing trial in two sexual assault cases: one in Rajasthan and the other in Gujarat.

Here are the live updates:

* According to reports, Asaram breaks down after hearing the sentencing verdict. Asaram's legal team to appeal in High Court, to file bail plea tomorrow.
* The godman sentenced to life imprisonment till death. Two associates of Asaram sentenced to 20 years in prison
* Arguments on quantum of sentence in Asaram rape case over.

* According to sources, defence counsel cited his welfare programmes while seeking leniency.
*'Asaram's conviction is under section 376 and POCSO Act'.
* Asaram's counsel pleads for leniency in quantum of punishment.
* According to police sources, co-accused Shiva and Shilpi have been convicted and Sharad and Prakash have been acquitted.
* A total of six followers of Asaram have been detained ahead of his rape case verdict.
* The special SC/ST court has begun its hearing proceedings inside the Jodhpur jail.
* The district officials have stepped up security arrangements near the house of the victim.
* The Jodhpur police have imposed section 144 in the city till April 30, banning the assembly of more than four people at a place.
* Asaram's followers have congregated in various parts of the country, praying for his immediate release.

In the case registered in Rajasthan, a teenage girl from Shahajahanpur of Uttar Pradesh had accused Asaram of raping her at his ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur on the night of 15 August 2013.

While in Gujarat, the two Surat-based sisters had lodged separate complaints against the self-styled godman and his son Narayan Sai, accusing them of rape.

The self- styled godman had filed a number of bail petitions, a total of 12 applications were rejected by the trial court, the the Rajasthan High Court, and the Supreme Court.

Asaram Bapu was taken into police custody in August 2013, following which he was taken to Jodhpur Central jail. A month after his arrest a potency test was conducted on him and was produced before a Jodhpur court.

In the years following his arrest ,a number of the key witnesses in the case were attacked or went missing. In 2014, Asaram's personal aide was shot dead, while another associate was killed in 2015 in Muzaffarnagar.

In order to prevent any untoward situation, the Union home ministry had issued an advisory for Rajasthan and the adjoining states of Gujarat and Haryana.

As a precautionary step, the Jodhpur police have imposed section 144 in the city till April 30, banning the assembly of more than four people at a place.

The verdict in the case will be announced from inside the jail premises, as mandated by the Rajasthan High Court.

Yesterday, Jodhpur Court dismissed the petition seeking entry of media persons in Central Jail of Jodhpur for the coverage of Asaram Bapu rape case judgment.


News Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com