Asaram could get 10 years to lifer
JODHPUR: The Rajasthan police had filed its charge sheet against self-styled godman Asaram in connection with the case of allegedly raping a minor girl in 2013. If convicted, the 72-year-old could be awarded from 10 years to life imprisonment.
Police told court on the basis of mobile call details how Asaram and his four associates plotted to rape the 16-year-old girl at the Manai ashram, 30km from Jodhpur, on August 15, 2013.
In its 1,011-page charge sheet, police included 121 documents and statements of 58 witnesses. Asaram is accused of trafficking, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation, rape and criminal conspiracy.
Section 370 (4) of IPC (trafficking): Asaram conspired with Sharad and Shilpi, hostel wardens, to sexually exploit the girl. He was aided by associates Shiva and Prakash who contacted the girl’s father to bring her to Jodhpur.
Section 342 (wrongful confinement): Asaram called the victim to the room on the night of the alleged incident and locked it from inside. The victim was kept for one-and-a-half hours for sexual exploitation and rape.
Section 354A (sexual harassment), 506, 509 (criminal intimidation, insulting modesty of a woman) and Section 7/8 of POCSO Act (sexual assault): While holding the victim captive, Asaram opened his clothes and displayed nudity in front of the victim. She was sexually abused even though she continued to oppose. He threatened to kill her and her parents.
Section 376 (rape): While holding the victim captive, the main accused molested the victim by touching her private parts and raped her.
Section 376 (2)(F) (rape on woman below 12 years) :The main accused was guru of the
victim’s parents for years. The victim herself considered him as God and was studying in a school run by his ashram. Despite person being in a position of trust, the accused raped her.
Section 5 (F)/6 of POCSO Act (any management or staff of an educational institution commits penetrative sexual assault): The victim was a minor and was studying in
a school run by Asaram’s Trust. While being a trustee in the management of the educational institution, the accused raped her.
Section 376D (intercourse by a management or staff of a hospital) and 5(G)/6 of POCSO Act (gang penetrative sexual assault on a child): By forming a gang with his associates, Asaram raped and sexually abused her.
(Section 376D of IPC has been added because the school staff had told her father that the girl was possessed and had to be taken to Asaram for treatment).
Punishment: If the prosecution is able to prove its allegations on the basis of police chargesheet, Asaram can be punished with imprisonment for a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.