Live updates: Asaram jailed for life for raping teenager, cries after sentencing

JODHPUR: Self-styled godman Asaram has been convicted of raping a teenage girl at his ashram in 2013. A teenage girl from Shahajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who was studying at the godman's ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh, had levelled charges of rape against Asaram. (Watch live streaming of Asaram case verdict on Zee News). The self-styled godman had, however, denied the rape charges.

Reacting to the order, the victim's father said that he has finally got justice. "Asaram is convicted, we have got justice. I want to thank everyone who supported us in this fight. Now I hope he will get strict punishment. I also hope the witnesses who were murdered or kidnapped get justice," father of Shahjahanpur victim. 

The chargesheet against Asaram and four other co-accused Shiva, Shilpi, Sharad and Prakash was filed by the police on November 6, 2013 under various sections of the POSCO Act, Juvenile Justice Act and IPC. A teenage girl from Shahajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who was studying at the godman's ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh had levelled allegations against the self-styled godman of raping her. Asaram had, however, denied the rape charges. The victim had alleged that Asaram called her to his ashram in Manai area near Jodhpur and raped her on the night of August 15, 2013.

Asaram was arrested in Indore and brought to Jodhpur on September 1, 2013. He is in judicial custody since September 2, 2013. Final arguments in the Asaram case had been completed by the special court for SC/ST cases on April 7 and the court had kept the order reserved for Wednesday.

Apprehending a threat to law and order, the Centre had asked Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana governments to tighten security and deploy additional forces as the three states have a large number of followers of the 77-year-old Asaram.

26 April 2018

20:23 IST

It may take two or three days more for Asaram's lawyer to file the aeal against the conviction in the Rajasthan High Court.

It has been reported that the judgment delivered by the special SC/ST court in Jodhpur is 453 pages long.

Asaram's lawyers would be unable to file the appeal without going through the whole judgement, which could take a day or two.

Asaram's appea was expected to be filed on Thursday, but that did not happen.

13:54 IST

Reacting to the verdict, actress Rakhi Sawant said she is happy that Asaram has been "punished" for raping a minor girl but she wonders why he was given only a life sentence. "I am very happy that Asaram has been punished. It sets a very good example for all potential sexual offenders in the country, especially those who think they are rich and powerful and can get away with violating our women and children. But why not the death sentence in this case? The girl is a minor...No bail, no life for child rapists," said Rakhi.