The Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court has announced its verdict today in the in a sexual assault case against self-proclaimed godman Asaram.
Asaram and his two other followers Sharad and Shilpa have been convicted by Jodhpur Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court in a rape case
Asaram is accused of rape of a 16-year-old girl from Shahajahanpur of Uttar Pradesh.
The victim had accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her on the intervening night of August 15 and 16 at his Jodhpur Ashram. A case was lodged against Asaram and four others — Sanchita alias Shilpi, Sharad Chandra alias Sharat Chandra, Prakash and Shiva alias Sava Ram Hethvadiya.
Asaram was taken into police custody in August 2013, following which he was taken to Jodhpur Central jail.
In November 2013, the charge sheet filed against Asaram and four others had indicated blackmail in exchange of sexual favours, after which the godman was booked under Sections 342, 376, 506 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 8 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).
Earlier, the Rajasthan High Court had passed an order, directing the trial court to pronounce its judgment inside the Jodhpur Central Jail on a petition filed by Jodhpur police.
The verdict has come after five years after rape charges were filed against Asaram.
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