Survivor’s father welcomes verdict

The father of the woman raped by Asaram hailed the judgment of the Jodhpur court handing life sentence to the self-styled godman on Wednesday, and thanked the judiciary and the media for it.

“We accept the decision of the honourable court. This case will set an example for people like Asaram who harass the daughters of the country,” the woman’s father said.

Soon after Asaram was pronounced guilty of raping a minor girl at his ashram in Jodhpur in Rajasthan, the victim’s father stepped out of his house to address mediapersons on Wednesday.

“I thank everyone who stood by us in our fight for justice,” said the 54-year-old man as police personnel escorted him inside the house.

The family had first lodged a complaint against Asaram accusing him of raping his daughter in August 2013, when she was only 16.

Based on the complaint lodged by the family, a case was registered in Delhi on August 20, 2013, and Asaram was charged under sections 342 (wrongful confinement), 354A (sexual harassment), 370 (trafficking), 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 120(B) (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The family faced a series of threats and campaigns to malign their character but they stood their ground.

In view of the verdict on Wednesday, Shahjahanpur district administration issued prohibitory orders and deployed additional force at the victim’s residence.

Superintendent of police (SP), Shahjahanpur, KB Singh said: “Four police teams, along with a unit of provincial armed constabulary (PAC), have been deployed at the rape victim’s residence to ensure security.”

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