Indian ‘godman’ gets 20 years for double rape
An Indian judge sentenced a self-styled “godman”, whose followers went on a deadly rampage after he was convicted of rape last week, to 20 years in prison on Monday, as a shoot-to-kill order, curfew and a heavy regional police presence kept protesters at bay.
A Central Bureau of Investigation spokesman said Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh would serve two consecutive 10-year terms for the two rape convictions.
Reuters and other media had earlier quoted government officials and lawyers as saying the twin sentencing would run concurrently for 10 years.
Tens of thousands of police enforced a lockdown in large parts of the northern states of Haryana and Punjab where Singh, 50, has a mass following.
Police in Haryana issued orders to shoot protesters on sight ahead of the sentencing and ordered the hearing to be carried out inside the prison where Singh was being held.
Hundreds of followers went on the rampage when he was convicted on Friday, attacking train stations, buses and television vans.
At least 38 people were killed and more than 200 injured, triggering criticism that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing party, which also controls the state of Haryana, was either unable or unwilling to act against Singh’s followers.
The case dates back to 2002, when two women followers accused Singh of rape at the headquarters of his Dera Sacha Sauda organisation in the town of Sirsa.
Singh, also known as the guru of bling for the bejewelled costumes he wears in selfproduced films, faced a minimum of seven years under new tough rape laws.
Singh’s lawyer, AK Panth, said his client was innocent and would appeal. Vipassana Insaan, a spokeswoman for the Dera Sacha Sauda, urged followers to respect the court’s order.
“Our legal battle will not end here. Our client is absolutely innocent,” said Panth.
Indian TV channels reported that Singh broke down after the sentence was passed and refused to move out of the court room, saying he was innocent.
The prison in the town of Rohtak was transformed into a fortress, with journalists banned from approaching within 1.6km and roads were lined with barbed-wire barricades.
V Umashankar, a special commissioner in Haryana, said a curfew was in force in Sirsa and parts of Rohtak.
The case has highlighted the Indian heartland’s fascination with spiritual gurus, who enjoy immense influence for their ability to mobilise millions of followers.