A sessions court in Gandhinagar on Tuesday sentenced self-styled godman Asaram Bapu to life imprisonment in connection with a rape case. Judge D.K. Soni also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on him.
A former woman disciple of Asaram had accused him of repeatedly raping her in his ashram located in Motera area of Ahmedabad between 2001 and 2006.
The court, which convicted the godman on Monday, had acquitted six others for want of evidence. Asaram was held guilty under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 2 (C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful detention), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 357 (assault) and 506 (criminal intimidation).
Special Public Prosecutor R.C. Kodekar had told the court that Asaram was a habitual offender and demanded life imprisonment for him.
Asaram, 81, who is serving life imprisonment sentence in a Jodhpur jail in connection with another rape case, attended the court proceedings through video link.
