Rape Convict Asaram “Habitual Offender”, Should Get Life Imprisonment: Prosecution to Court

Ahmedabad: The prosecution urged a court in Gandhinagar on Tuesday to punish the godman Asaram Bapu with life imprisonment. On Monday, Asaram was convicted in a rape case filed by a former female disciple in 2013. Terming Asaram as a “habitual offender”, the prosecution sought life imprisonment for the self-styled godman in the case along with a heavy fine.

Sessions court judge D K Soni reserved the final order for 3.30 pm.

The 81-year-old godman Asaram is now serving a life sentence in another rape case. He is lodged in a Jodhpur jail.

The court on Monday convicted Asaram 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), in the case lodged by his former woman disciple in 2013.

The court had acquitted six other accused, including Asaram’s wife Laxmiben, their daughter, and four disciples who were accused of aiding and abetting the crime, for lack of evidence.