A sessions court in Surat on Friday convicted Narayan Sai, son of jailed godman Asaram Bapu, in a rape case. Four others were also convicted under the charges of rape.
The sentence against Narayan Sai will be pronounced on April 30. Five persons were acquitted.
Several sections of the IPC—related to rape, molestation and wrongful confinement—were slapped on Sai after the younger of two sisters from Surat had accused him of repeatedly sexually assaulting her between 2002 and 2005. The elder sister had pointed fingers at Asaram Bapu, who is already behind bars in connection with another case.
Narayan Sai is believed to have raped the victim when she stayed at their ashram in Surat. The elder sister was allegedly raped during her stay in another ashram of Asaram Bapu in Motera, Ahmedabad.
The other persons convicted in the case are Ganga, Jamuna, Hanuman and Ramesh Malhotra. They allegedly supported Sai in the crime.
More than 50 witnesses were examined in the case.
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Asaram and Narayan Sai own sprawling pieces of land in Ahmedabad and Surat where the ashrams are located. Sources said Sai used to project himself as Lord Krishna before the sadhikas.
The father and son duo have a large following, including among politicians and police officers.
All the accused, except Narayan Sai, are out on bail. Sai was taken to Lajpore Central Jail in Surat from where he had been brought to court for the hearing.
