JODHPUR: In a significant ruling, self-styled godman Asaram Bapu received partial relief from the Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday, as the court set aside some charges related to gang rape and gang penetrative sexual assault of a minor. However, his life sentence for the rape of a minor remains in force.
Details of the Verdict
A division bench comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit acquitted Asaram of offences under Section 376(D) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 5(G)/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which deal with gang rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a child. The court also cleared him of charges under Section 120(B) of the IPC related to criminal conspiracy.
Despite these acquittals, the bench upheld his conviction under Section 376(2)(F) of the IPC, pertaining to rape of a minor, thereby continuing the life imprisonment awarded by the trial court. The court directed Asaram to surrender following the judgment. He is presently out on bail after receiving a seven-day extension earlier this week.
Other Convictions Upheld
The High Court also upheld several other convictions against Asaram, including offences under Sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 370(4) (trafficking), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (insulting the modesty of a woman), and 354(A) (sexual harassment) of the IPC. Convictions under Sections 7/8 of the POCSO Act and Section 23 of the Juvenile Justice Act were also sustained. Additionally, the court convicted him under Section 376 of the IPC and Section 34 of the POCSO Act.
Acquittal of Co-Accused
In the same judgment, the bench acquitted co-accused Sanchita Gupta alias Shilpi and Sharat Chandra. They were earlier convicted under Sections 370(4) read with 120(B) and Section 370(D), respectively.
Background of the Case
The High Court reserved its verdict on April 20 after concluding arguments in the appeals filed by Asaram and the co-accused. Before delivering the verdict, the bench reportedly remarked that it had “a mixed bag” of good and bad news for the accused and asked which part he wished to hear first.
Asaram was convicted on April 25, 2018, for sexually assaulting a minor student at his ashram in Jodhpur. The trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment under multiple provisions of the IPC, POCSO Act, and Juvenile Justice Act. The case dates back to 2013 when the victim, then a 16-year-old girl, alleged that Asaram had raped her at his ashram.
