The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday upheld the life imprisonment sentence awarded to self styled godman Asaram in the 2013 rape case of a minor girl. The Court dismissed his appeal against the 2018 trial court verdict that had convicted him of raping a minor student at his Jodhpur ashram.
A division bench of the High Court, however, granted partial relief to Asaram by acquitting him of charges related to gang rape, gang penetrative sexual assault and criminal conspiracy. Despite this relief, the court maintained his conviction for the rape of a minor, meaning his life sentence will continue.
The Court also directed Asaram to surrender immediately. He had been out on interim bail granted on medical grounds while his appeal was being heard.
The case dates back to 2013, when a minor girl accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her in his ashram near Jodhpur. In April 2018, a special POCSO Court in Jodhpur found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The High Court also acquitted two co accused Shilpi and Sharatchand in the case. The judgment comes after months of hearings conducted in compliance with a Supreme Court direction to dispose of the pending appeal within a fixed timeframe.
