Asaram Bapu given life term for teen rape

AN INDIAN guru with millions of followers was sentenced to life in prison last Wednesday (25) for raping a teenage devo­tee on the pretext of ridding her of evil spirits, his lawyer said.

Asaram Bapu, one of India’s most charismatic and contro­versial spiritual leaders, was given the maximum sentence at a closed jailhouse hearing in Rajasthan, where hundreds of police were on high alert for any backlash from his disciples.

“Asaram has been sentenced to life until death,” defence law­yer Rajendra Singh said outside the court in Jodhpur city.

Asaram, 77, has always de­nied raping the then 16-year-old in 2013 during a spiritual retreat at his ashram in Jodh­pur. His lawyer said they would appeal the sentence.

The influential guru, who has been in custody since 2013, had called the trial a political con­spiracy and refused to cooper­ate with a police investigation.

He still commands a devoted following, even though his star power appears to be fading fol­lowing the rape charges and other controversies.

Asaram’s followers have been accused of using violence against those who have spoken out against the guru.

Two close aides who turned key witnesses against him were murdered in 2014 and 2015.

Asaram is also accused of raping another devotee and suspected of involvement in the killing of two other people. His son is also on trial for rape.

His movement grew from In­dia’s rural heartland to an em­pire with 400 ashrams and Ayurveda health centres esti­mated to be worth more than half a billion dollars.

Asaram’s daily sermons – later televised to millions – of­fered yoga instruction and tips on celibacy. He recommended cow’s milk for appendicitis and honey to treat cancer.

He attracted friends in high places, and many of the ash­rams which mushroomed in his heyday were on land that had been donated by succes­sive state governments.