Indian guru who sparked violent protests sentenced to 10 years for rape
Leader’s conviction last week resulted in riots by followers that left 38 dead, many hurt
ROHTAK, INDIA— A judge on Monday sentenced a popular and flamboyant Indian spiritual guru to 10 years in prison on charges of raping two female followers. The sentence was pronounced amid intense security at a prison in the northern town of Rohtak where the guru, who calls himself Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Ji Insan, has been held since his conviction Friday. Defence lawyer S.K. Garg Narwana said the guru was sentenced to 10 years in each case and fined a total of about $58,800.
The conviction sparked violent protests by the guru’s followers that left at least 38 people dead and hundreds injured.
As of Monday night, there were no reports of new violence.
Ahead of the sentencing announcement, train and bus services to Rohtak were suspended to prevent the guru’s supporters from gathering in the town.
A curfew was also imposed in Rohtak.
Local police said several layers of security were in place around the prison and that government troops had permission to use firearms if any violence erupted. All cars entering the town were being searched.
The guru has denied raping the two followers, in a case that stems from charges filed in 2002.
Few details were immediately available following the sentencing, but the guru’s lawyers can appeal the verdict to a higher court.
The rape charges were investigated by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, and a special CBI court convicted and sentenced the guru. The minimum sentence for the charges was seven years and the maximum was life in prison.
The bling-loving leader is fond of red leather jackets, bejeweled hats, bicep-baring T-shirts — and cinema.
He has started a film franchise in which he stars as the “Messenger of God,” or MSG, with divine powers to save the world.
In his most recent film, he plays a secret agent armed with a twirled moustache and an assortment of swords to fight aliens and UFOs.
A curfew was in place in Sirsa town, where the sprawling main headquarters of the guru’s Sacha Sauda sect are located.
Since Saturday, police have been asking followers to leave the ashram compound, and around 20,000 people left.
Local police spokesperson Surjeet Singh said some people were still inside the compound, but that it was impossible to know how many.
When the guru was found guilty on Friday, tens of thousands of his enraged followers set fire to government buildings, vandalized bus stations and government vehicles, and attacked police and TV journalists in Panchkula, where the verdict was announced.