Rajasthan High Court Upholds Asaram's Life Sentence In 2013 Rape Case, Acquits Two Co-Accused
The Rajasthan High Court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of self-styled godman Asaram under Section 376 IPC for committing rape of a woman at his ashram in 2013.For context, a Special POCSO Court at Jodhpur had in April 2018 sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment for the remainder of natural life under Sections 376(2)(f) (rape committed by someone in a position of trust), 376D...
The Rajasthan High Court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of self-styled godman Asaram under Section 376 IPC for committing rape of a woman at his ashram in 2013.
For context, a Special POCSO Court at Jodhpur had in April 2018 sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment for the remainder of natural life under Sections 376(2)(f) (rape committed by someone in a position of trust), 376D (gang rape), 370(4) (human trafficking), 342 (wrongful confinement), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) IPC.
He was also convicted for offences under Sections 5(g), 6, 7 and 8 of POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.
The High Court has now upheld his conviction under the IPC offences (except gang rape and criminal conspiracy charge), but not under POCSO Act. Further, it has acquitted co-accused Sharad and Shilpi— who were sentenced to 20 years in prison for allegedly playing an active role in the criminal conspiracy by facilitating the victim's meeting with Asaram.
A division bench of Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit pronounced the verdict at 8 am today.
Story to be updated
Case title: Asharam @ Ashumal v/s State of Rajasthan
D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 123/2018