The much hyped “Godman” Asaraam Bapu court verdict is out and the Godman is convicted of rape by the Jodhpur court.  The court has sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Rajasthan trial court, which set up temporary premises in jail for this special case, has held the self-styled Godman Asaram Bapu been found guilty of raping a 16 year old at his Chhindwara Ashram 5 years ago.

States of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Gujarat have been under massive security ahead of the verdict.  The proceedings, which started in a temporary trial court setup at the Jodhpur Central Jail premises pronounced the Godman guilty of rape at 11am today.

Utsav Bains, the rape survivor’s lawyer said that it was a great day for justice, after the verdict was anounced. Another rape survivor’s father from Shajahnpur said, ‘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”.

Vikas Pahwa, Asaram’s lawyer however said that the charges under POCSO won’t stand as there are contradictions in the survivor’s statement and that she was falsely shown to be a minor.

Asaram is in Jodhpur jail since he was arrested by Jodhpur Police on Augist 31, 2013, following the rape accusation. He was booked under Sections 342, 376, 506 and 509 of the IPC, as well as under Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and sections 23 and 26 of the Juvenile Justice Act.

Around 400 ashrams across the country are being run by the self styled godman. He has previously been booked in similar cases Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. According to a Hindustan Times report, two Surat-based sisters had lodged separate cases against Asaram and his son, Narayan Sai, accusing them of repeated rape and illegal confinement, among other charges.

Four others, who were accused in the rape case, have also been found guilty by the Jodhpur Court. Asaram faces a minimum of 10 years in Jail and a maximum of life imprisonment.  His aides Shilpi and Sharad have been sentenced to 20 years jail each.