Self-styled godman Asaram was on Wednesday sentenced to be in jail until death after being convicted in a 2013 minor rape case by a special Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe court in Jodhpur.
His close aides Sharatchandra and Shilpi Gupta were sentenced to 20 years in prison and co-accused Shiva and Prakash acquitted.
Here are the live updates from our correspondent Mohammed Iqbal:
Situation peaceful in Jodhpur
Situation peaceful in Jodhpur. No major action by the police, except detention of a few supporters of Asaram. Many supporters were sent back from the railway station and the bus stand.
Arguments conclude on quantum of sentence
Asaram has been convicted under Sec. 376 of IPC and POCSO Act. Arguments on the quantum of sentence have concluded and the judge has retired to his chamber to dictate the order.
'We had complete faith in judiciary'
"I am happy to get justice," the father of the rape survivor says in Shajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh after Asaram was convicted by the Jodhpur court.
"We had complete faith in judiciary and are happy that we got justice," he tells reporters in Shahjahanpur. - PTI
Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma delivers the verdict in the Jodhpur Central jail premises.
Asaram and two of his aides — Sharatchandra and Shilpi Gupta — have been convicted. Two other aides — Shiva and Prakash — have been acquitted.
Tight security outside jail, supporter detained
Strict security is in place outside the Jodhpur Central Jail where the verdict is to be be pronounced. The road leading to the jail is out of bounds for people.
A supporter of Asaram is detained when he tries to put a garland on a poster of Asaram, but the policemen nab him. The poster was put on a wall of a corridor outside the jail boundary where the family members of prisoners wait. The supporter manages to reach there despite high-security arrangements.
Victim’s home gets more security
The case against Asaram pertains to rape of a minor in 2013. The victim, belonging to Shahjahanpur, was staying at Asaram’s ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur.
The district administration has stepped up security near the house of the victim. “Five policemen have been deployed at the house and a strict vigil is being maintained,” SP (City) Dinesh Tripathi has said.
Prohibitory orders in Jodhpur
The Jodhpur police have enforced prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in the city till April 30, stopped entry of Asaram’s followers and evacuated his ashram at Palgaon on the outskirts of the town to prevent any untoward incident.
The Home Ministry has asked Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana to tighten security and deploy additional forces ahead of the verdict. The Ministry told the three States to beef up security. and ensure that no violence takes place after the verdict. They were also told to deploy additional forces in sensitive places. These States have a large number of Asaram followers.
