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Security has been stepped up and prohibitory orders issued in the city ahead of the trial court verdict in the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram on Wednesday. As per the directions of the Rajasthan High Court, the trial court will deliver its verdict in the case in Jodhpur Central Jail premises. Apprehending a threat to law and order from followers of Asaram, the police have imposed prohibitory orders. “We have made all arrangements for the judgement day. Magistrate along with court staff, Asaram and co-accused along with the defence and prosecution counsels will remain present in the courtroom in jail premises”, DIG, Jail, Vikram Singh said. Final arguments in the case had been completed by the special court for SC/ST cases on 7 April and the court had kept the order reserved to be pronounced on 25 April. Asaram was arrested on the complaint filed by a teenage girl from Shahajahanpur of Uttar Pradesh, who was studying at the godman’s ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. The victim had alleged that Asaram had called her to his ashram in Manai area near Jodhpur and raped her on the night of 15 August, 2013. Asaram was arrested from Indore and brought to Jodhpur on 1 September, 2013. He is under judicial custody since 2 September, 2013. A chargesheet against Asaram and 4 other co-accused namely Shiva, Shilpi, Sharad and Prakash had been filed by the police on 6 November, 2013 under various sections of the POSCO Act, Juvenile Justice Act and IPC. Trial of the case had begun in the district and session court on 19 March, 2017, which had been shifted to the special court for SC/ST Cases on 16 December, 2016. “We have imposed Section 144 of CrPC in the city from 21 April and would remain effective till 30 April. Besides this, we have been keeping a sharp eye on ashrams of Asaram in the city and checking all hotels and guest houses as well as the bus and railway station,” DCP (East) Aman Deep Singh said. “We will also seal the jail on the day of judgment and would not allow anyone to get close to jail premises”, Singh said. Asaram has unsuccessfuly moved 12 bail applications, of which 6 were rejected by trial court, 3 by the Rajasthan High Court and 3 by the Supreme Court.
Asaram rape case verdict LATEST updates: Court set to deliver verdict 5 yrs after minor raped under pretext of exorcism
Security has been stepped up and prohibitory orders issued in the city ahead of the trial court verdict in the rape case against self-styled godman Asaram on Wednesday.
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Self-styled godman has a string of assault, rape, land grab cases against him
The verdict of a lifetime in jail slapped on self-styled godman Asaram for raping a 16-year-old girl has turned the spotlight on two other women who have charged the 77-year-old preacher with sexual assault and are awaiting justice. The sisters, based in Surat, had alleged they were raped and illegally confined by Asaram and his son Narayan Sai.
But rape is not the only charge against Asaram. He is also facing prosecution in a Rs 700-crore land grab case of 2000 in Madhya Pradesh. The case pertains to 200 acres of land in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh.
Madhya Pradesh authorities take off signpost naming a place in Bhopal after Asaram
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan responds on Firstpost tweet, assures prompt action
The chief minister’s tweet came after, Firstpost tweeted out a video clip of Rachna Dhingra, member of a group in Bhopal for information and action working for victims of gas tragedy for past 10 years. Dhingra demanded that the name of intersections named after Asaram in Bhopal must be changed.
Long-drawn trials in rape cases disrupt survivor’s life, shadow of trauma transcends time
A detailed report in Caravan magazine gives a glimpse of the life of a rape survivor after the initial anger subsides. The course of a long-drawn trial leaves shadows of trauma even years after the crime was committed.
“He (victim’s father) was much more subdued when I visited him again, in December 2016. I entered a small office in front of the family’s two-storey house to see a man at a table sorting papers and signing courier dispatches. It took me several seconds to realise that this was the victim’s father. He seemed to have aged a decade in the three years since I had met him last; he had grown slighter, and had lost most of his hair.
Though he had once run a successful transport business and owned more than ten trucks, he had sold most of them to fund the legal battle against Asaram. His family members’ routine lives had been disrupted, since they had to travel often to Jodhpur to attend the trial. “The trial period is so difficult and painful I can’t tell you,” the father said. “What kind of life is this? We have to travel so often to a state that is not ours. That city is not our city, but we land up there every few days with bag and baggage. And the court gets over at five in the evening. What to do with the rest of the long days and long nights in that unknown city? We just lie there in a small hotel room thinking about what happened to us,” the report read.
Asaram’s bhakts pressured rape survivor’s school principal to change her date of birth
The principal of the school where Asaram’s victim studied was a much-relieved man today with a Jodhpur court pronouncing the self-styled godman guilty of her rape.
The teacher, who is also a witness in the case, said he had been facing threats from Asaram’s followers to change the child’s date of birth to help the godman evade stringent punishment under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
“But society has a lot of faith in schools and it was my moral duty to live up to it and I fulfilled my responsibility,” he added. The principal said he had received threatening letters and was sent a packet with cartridges to put pressure on him. The teacher said the security provided to him by the district administration was inadequate in the backdrop of deaths of some witnesses in the case.
Rape allegations against ‘Saint Asaram Bapu’ only bad publicisty, says for Gujarat top cop DG Vanzara
Former Gujarat top cop DG Vanzara has claimed that the allegations against “pujya bapuji” were not made out to be that of rape in the first information report. He said that the girl only first alleged that she was touched inappropriately and he exuded confidence that the ‘godman’ would be released by the higher courts.
Speaking to NDTV , he termed other rape charges against him as bad publicity.
“All the attempts being made to defame a saint like Asaram Bapu, (this) isn’t in the country’s interest or in the interest of the Hindus or in the interest of Sanathan Dharm,” Vanzara said.
‘Everyone’s hard work paid off,’ Jodhpur DCP on Asaram verdict
Reacting to the special court’s verdict on Asaram, Jodhpur DCP told ANI , “I can say that hard work from everyone has finally paid off. We all are really happy with this decision. I need media’s support to get the correct version out there to the supporters of Asaram.”
Asaram Verdict lesson for people who commit sexual offences: NCPCR
National Commission For Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) lauded the special court’s judgment in the rape case of a minor by the high-profile godman. Speaking to ANI, NCPCR member Yashwant Jain said, “This judgment is a lesson to people who think they can get away by committing sexual offences against children. I would like to appreciate the girl and her family for fighting against the culprits.”
Defence counsel cited Asaram’s philanthropic deeds while seeking leniency in sentence
According to news reports, the defence counsel pleaded for leniency in handing out sentence as Asaram was also a phillanthropist. The lawyers cited his welfare programmes while seeking leniency.
Rape survivor’s family to move HC against acquittal of Shiva, Prakash
The rape survivor’s lawyer said that the family was happy with the life term given out to Asaram. He, however, added that after considering the options before them, they would like to move Rajasthan High Court against the acquittal of two of Asaram’s aides, Shiva and Prakash.
Asaram broke down in court after hearing sentence
According to reports, Asaram collapsed on his chair after hearing that he has been sentenced to life. The self-styled godman broke down after hearing the quantum of the sentence.
Watch: Shiva’s lawyer breaks down the court’s order
Life term to Asaram biggest compensation we can get, says rape survivor’s father
The rape survivor’s father has expressed satisfaction on the SC/ST court’s verdict. He said that the rapist of her daughter was sentenced to a life term and this is the biggest compensation they could ever get.
Input by Asif Ali, Shahjahanpur, 101Reporters
Asaram, his two aides also fined Rs 1 lakh each
The special SC/ST court has also fined Asaram, Shilpi and Sharad Rs 1 Lakh each in the case. The court handed out maximum punishment to Asaram while it sentenced the other two accused to 20 years in prison each.
Watch: Jodhpur DM leaves central prison after quantum of sentence announced
Meanwhile, police barricade the way leading to Jodhpur prison, heavy force deployed
Asaram trust’s spokesperson ‘disappointed,’ says will approach high court
Asaram trust’s spokesperson Neelam Dubey reacted to the verdict against the self-styled godman. She said that the sentence was a big blow and a disappointment, adding that the legal team will decide upon the course of further action. She said that the trust will definitely move high court against the verdict.
Asaram gets life term; 2 other convicts given 20 years in jail
The court has sentenced Asaram to a life term in the rape case, while two other of his aides Shilpi and Sharad are given 20 years in jail each.
Judge reads out quantum of sentence in case
According to CNN-News18 sources, the special court has started reading out its order in the case. The self-styled godman is expected to get maximum 10 years in prison, however, the defence has sought leniency citing his age and failing health.
Mediapersons outside Jodhpur Central Jail ahead of announcement of quantum of sentence
Image by Liladhar Sankhala/101Reporters
Trial court judge’s staff still inside jail premises
Quoting jail sources, CNN-News18 reported that the staff of judge Madhusudhan is still inside the premises, which means the court is still functioning. The normal time till when the court functions is 1 pm. However, in some cases in the past the court has worked for extra hours.
Survivor’s father says satisfying that verdict has gone against Asaram
The father of the teenager raped by Asaram expressed satisfaction over the Jodhpur court verdict convicting the self-styled godman. “We had complete faith in the judiciary and are happy that we got justice,” he told mediapersons soon after the court verdict.
“For the past four months, our family members had not been coming out (of our house)…it is satisfying that the verdict has gone against him,” he said. “We were living in constant terror, our business was adversely hit,” he said.
PTI
Congress tweets on Narendra Modi’s connection with Asaram
In a tweet, Congress shared a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asaram, saying, “A man is known by the company he keeps.”
‘Asaram verdict a lesson to those who think they can get away by committing sexual offences against children’
Reacting to Asaram’s conviction, National Commission For Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) member Yashwant Jain said, “This judgment is a lesson to people who think they can get away by committing sexual offences against children.”
Watch: Activist working for Bhopal gas tragedy victims urges Madhya Pradesh CM to rename places named after Asaram
Rachna Dhingra, member of Bhopal group for information and action working for gas victims of Bhopal gas disaster for past 10 years demands to change the name of intersections named after Asaram.
“In Bhopal, there is a crossing and a bus stand named after him. I ask Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan that the names be changed of these places be changed to something else,” she said.
Video procured by ShahrozAfridi/Team101Reporters
Farhan Akhtar urges people to not share images of Asaram with Narendra Modi
In a tweet, Bollywood actor and director Farhan Akhtar said, “Can people please stop sharing images of him with Narendra Modi. Patronising him before he was exposed to be a pervert is no crime. Let’s be fair and give him the benefit of doubt that he, like us, did not know.”
Ambulance enters in Jodhpur Central Jail ahead of announcement of quantum of punishment to Asaram
Input by Ram Gopal Jat/Team 101Reporters
Watch: Uneasy calm prevails in Asaram’s Bhopal ashram
Input by ShahrozAfridi/101Reporters
Panchkula versus Jodhpur: A look at security arrangements during verdicts of two different rape cases (5/5)
The special CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh had flown from Panchkula in chopper and reached at Rohtak Sunaria Jail around 3 pm. The court hearing continued till 5.30 pm and awarded 20 years of jail term to Ram Rahim. In Jodhpur Asaram rape case, judge Madhu Sudan Sharma is present at central jail since Wednesday morning declared Asaram guilty in minor rape case against him around 11 am and decided to pronounce the quantam of punishment on the same day.
Input by Sat Singh/Team 101reporters
Asaram’s supporters avoid speaking to reporters fearing detention
Reporters on the ground are facing difficulty in getting reactions from Asaram’s supporters. Section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in Jodhpur till 30 April, while security around the Jodhpur jail premises has been heightened since Wednesday morning. The Centre has also 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 who faces a minimum term of 10 years if convicted.
Asaram’s counsel prays for leniency in quantum of punishment
Asaram’s advocate is praying to court to be lenient while pronouncing the punishment citing the 77-year-old’s old age and failing health.
Input by Ram Gopal Jat/Team 101reporters
Asaram’s son Narayan Sai produced Surat court
According to Times Now, Asarams son Narayan Sai appeared in a Surat court on Wednesday. Other than the 2013 rape case in which he was convicted on Wednesday, Asaram is also facing a rape case in Surat in Gujarat in which the Supreme Court gave five weeks’ time to the prosecution to complete the trial in April.
Two Surat-based sisters had lodged separate complaints against Asaram and his son Narayan Sai, accusing them of rape and illegal confinement, among other charges.
The elder sister, in her complaint against Asaram, had accused him of repeated sexual assaults between 2001 and 2006 when she was staying at his ashram near Ahmedabad.
Panchkula versus Jodhpur: A look at security arrangements during verdicts of two different rape cases (4/5)
Seconds after the self styled guru Ram Rahim held guilty in rape case by Panchkula CBI Court on 25 August, his followers present outside the court scrambled in the city and took to arson, violent activites. Flabbergasted Haryana police had to take help of Indian Army on standby to curb the volatile situation. In Jodhpur, the situation so far remained peaceful with no reaction from his upset followers after Asaram along with two others held guilty in 2012 rape case by Special SC/ST Court at Jodhpur Central Jail.
Input by Sat Singh/101reporters
‘Asaram’s conviction is under section 376 and POCSO Act’
Rajasthan DGP told News18 that Asaram’s conviction is under section 376(Rape) and POCSO Act. Asaram is also facing a rape case in Surat in Gujarat in which the Supreme Court earlier in April gave five weeks time to the prosecution to complete the trial.
It’s time we crack down on fake gurus, says Ashok Gehlot
After a Jodhpur trial court found Asaram guilty in a 2013 rape case against him, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot told reporters, “Such cases bring shame to the country. It’s time we crack down on fake gurus.”
Survivor ‘happy’ with court’s decision
Welcoming the decision of the court, rape survivor said that four years (of waiting) was a very long term and “I am happy with the court’s decision”.
Input by Asif Ali/101Reporters
Two acquitted by Jodhpur court
According to jail DIG, Asaram’s two associates Shiva and Prakash have been acquitted, while Shilpi and Sharad have been convicted.
Input by Mukesh Kumar/Team 101Reporters
We’ve got justice: Rape survivor’s father
“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/kidnapped get justice,” ANI quoted rape survivor’s father as telling reporters after the verdict.