Asaram Bapu: Indian guru who raped 16-year-old girl jailed for life

The 77-year-old is also on trial along with his son in a separate case where two sisters have accused them of rape

(Reuters)

Asaram Bapu, a self-styled Indian “godman”, has been jailed for life after being found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl.

The verdict against the 77-year-old was read out inside a prison in the city of Jodhpur, in Rajasthan state, where Bapu has been held since September 2013, over fears his followers may resort to violence.

The spiritual guru, who claims to have millions of followers, is expected to appeal.

Last August, followers of another flamboyant and popular guru, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, rampaged after he was found guilty of raping two followers, killing at least 38 and injuring more than 200.

Judge Madhusudan Sharma announced the prison term for Bapu and sentenced two of his associates to 20 years in prison each for helping him in the crime.

The judge convicted Bapu on charges of criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement and rape.

He has denied the charges, and a spokeswoman, Neelam Dubey, said he would appeal the verdict in a higher court.

In her complaint to police in 2013, the girl accused the preacher of sexually assaulting her when she visited his ashram in Jodhpur with her mother.

The girl, who reportedly sought to be rid of evil spirits, said in her complaint she was asked to perform oral sex and was touched inappropriately, local media said.

Before his arrest in 2013, Bapu ran more than 230 ashrams with residential schools with millions of followers across India and abroad, including the US, UK, Canada, Uganda and Kenya.

He is also on trial along with his son, Narayan Sai, in a separate case where two sisters have accused the two men of sexual assault.

The case is the latest in a series of high-profile sexual abuse accusations against such figures in India.

Responding to widespread outrage over the recent rape and killings of young girls and other attacks on children, India’s government last week approved the death penalty for people convicted of raping children under the age of 12.