Asaram Case: From Godman To Rape Convict For Second Time — A Timeline 

A Surat-based woman, who was a disciple of Asaram, had accused him of repeatedly raping her between 2001 and 2006 when she was living in his ashram in Ahmedabad's Motera.

New Delhi: Self-proclaimed godman Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, more commonly known as Asaram Bapu, was convicted in a 10-year-old rape case Monday. A Gandhinagar court will pronounce the quantum of punishment in the case Tuesday.

A Surat-based woman, who was a disciple of Asaram, had accused him of repeatedly raping her between 2001 and 2006 when she was living in his ashram in Ahmedabad's Motera.

"The court convicted Asaram Bapu under sections 376 2 (C) for rape, 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (Wrongful detention), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 357 (assault) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code," a PTI report quoted  special public prosecutor RC Kodekar as saying.

Asaram’s lawyer has said the sessions court’s order will be challenged in the Gujarat High Court.

This is the second conviction for the self-styled godman. In 2013, he was convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl in his Jodhpur ashram. Asaram is currently serving sentence in the Jodhpur Central jail under Section 376 of the IPC, the Protection of Children under Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act.

Timeline Of Asaram Cases 

August 15, 2013: The day of the sexual assault on 16-year-old victim at Asaram's ashram in Mani village near Jodhpur.

August 20, 2013: The victim’s parents file a zero FIR in Delhi. Later, the case was handed over to Jodhpur police.

August 31, 2013: Jodhpur police arrest Asaram from Indore.

September 1, 2013: Asaram is taken to Jodhpur from his Indore ashram. 

October 6, 2013: Surat-based disciple files a case of rape and illegal confinement against Asaram and seven others, including his son Narayan Sai, wife, and daughter. Notably, a court in Gujarat sentenced Narayan Sai to life imprisonment in April 2019 for raping the victim's younger sister.

November 6, 2013: Jodhpur police file chargesheet against Asaram and four others.

July 2014: Gujarat Police files chargesheet against Asaram.

April 25, 2018: Jodhpur court convicts Asaram for raping the teen. He is sentenced to life imprisonment under IPC Sections 342 (Wrongful confinement), 376(2)(F) (Rape of a minor girl), 376 D (Rape), 354 A (Outraging the modesty of a woman), 506 (Criminal intimidation) and 109 (Abetment to an offence).

January 30, 2023: Gandhinagar court convicts Asaram for raping the Surat-based devotee. Asaram's wife Lakshmi, daughter Bharati, and four female followers — Dhruvben, Nirmala, Jassi and Meera — are acquitted.