Asaram sentenced to life term till death in rape case, 2 others get 20 years each in jail

A Jodhpur court on Wednesday awarded life sentence to self-styled godman Asaram after holding him guilty of raping a 15-year-old girl in his ashram five years ago,

Verdict in Asaram rape case today

Jodhpur: In a huge setback to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, the Jodhpur Court awarded him life imprisonment till death after holding him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor in 2013. Judge Madhusudan Sharma also held 2 others, namely Shilpi and Sharad guilty in the case. The two have been given 20 years each in jail. All the three convicts fined Rs 1 lakh each. Two of his aides Prakash and Shiva were acquitted. The verdict was announced amid high security inside Jodhpur jail. HERE'S ALL THAT HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY:

• Workers of a radical outfit Sambhaji Brigade vandalise Asaram's ashram in Maharashtra's Akola.

In Pictures: Asaram's Ashram Vandalised In #Maharashtra Post His Conviction In Rape Case#AsaramVerdict #AsaramCaseVerdict https://t.co/MhiqboNlJI

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) April 25, 2018

• Today, the court has convicted Asaram. Out of five accused persons, three have been convicted under various sections of the Indian Penal Code as well as POCSO Act and Juvenile Justice Act. Two accused persons have been acquitted by the trial court: Victim's lawyer
• As far as accused Asaram is concerned, he has been convicted under the provisions of sections 376 (2) (f) and the maximum punishment that has been awarded by the trial court is "till natural breath" he has been sentenced to imprisonment. "Antim saans tak Asaram ko jail me hi rehna hoga (Asaram will have to be in jail till his last breath). He has also been fined Rs. 1 lakh. Under the provisions in section 376 (B) and 376 (D) of IPC, he has been sentenced to be in jail till his last breath.: Victim's lawyer

•  'Shocked' Asaram breaks down in courtroom after hearing about the verdict.
• Asaram gets life imprisonment. The two other accused get 20 years in jail each.
• Asaram complains of feeling unwell inside the jail where court hearing is taking place. Ambulance called inside the Jodhpur central jail.

• The argument over punishment over; quantum of punishment to be announced by 1pm

#AsaramVerdict - Asaram's advocate has requested the court to take a lenient view while pronouncing the punishment citing the 77-year-old's old age and deteriorating health. LIVE Coverage: https://t.co/JQJlKYWHWM

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) April 25, 2018

• Victim's counsel has demanded maximum punishment for convicted spiritual guru Asaram Bapu in 2013 rape case.
• Asaram Bapu chanting 'Hari Om' in court after learning about his conviction in 2013 rape case: Sources
• Jodhpur court judge holds Asaram guilty of raping minor

Update - #AsaramVerdict - Asaram Bapu, Shilpi and Sharad found guilty in rape case. Prakash and Shiva acquitted. LIVE Coverage: https://t.co/JQJlKZeiOk pic.twitter.com/Rx1EETCha6

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) April 25, 2018

#AsaramCaseVerdict - We will approach higher court. Bapuji has always asked his supporters to maintain calm: Neelam Dubey, Asaram's spokesperson on his conviction in rape case.

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) April 25, 2018

• Court also holds 2 other accused guilty, 2 accused have been acquitted
• Asaram reaches courtroom created inside Jodhpur jail
• Only 14 lawyers to stay inside jail premises. The mobile phones of lawyers have been confiscated till court proceedings end
• Media not allowed to enter Jodhpur jail
• Judge Madhusudan Sharma reaches Jodhpur jail for the verdict
• People in Ahmedabad perform prayers ahead of court verdict

• Prayers underway by Asaram's followers at his ashram in Bhopal

Massive security and cautious arrangements have been put in place by the police, to ensure the peace is not disrupted after court verdict in self-styled godman Asaram’s rape case, which is likely to be out by 10:30am. The verdict in the case will be pronounced inside the Jodhpur court, where the self-styled godman has been locked up. The entire jail premises will be no-man’s land. As per DCP Jodhpur, Amandeep Kapoor “To avoid any incident of violence, we had requested the court to pronounce the verdict inside the court premises. We have also provided high level security top the Judge Madhusudan Sharma, who would give judgement”. “We are taking special precautions because we don’t want a similar incident that took place in Panchkula after Ram Rahim’s rape case verdict” he added. “We have made our game plan in such a way, that we can handle the worse case scenario” DCP added. The city’s security has been tightened. The cops also held a flag march on Tuesday to send across a message to anyone who intends to incite violence. All the entry and exit points of the city have been blocked. Even in Delhi, the security agencies have been alerted. To ensure that Asaram’s followers do not gather at any particular place, section 144 has also been imposed. Asaram has been accused of raping a 15-year-old in August 2013.