Security has been beefed up, and police put on high alert in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana ahead of a trial court verdict in the alleged rape of a teenager by self-styled godman Asaram who faces a minimum term of 10 years if convicted.
Asaram is accused of raping a teenage girl from Shahajahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, who was studying at the godman's ashram at Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh. Asaram has denied the rape charges.
The victim had alleged that Asaram called her to his ashram in Manai area near Jodhpur and raped her on the night of August 15, 2013.
Asaram was arrested in Indore and brought to Jodhpur on September 1, 2013. He is under judicial custody since September 2, 2013.
The chargesheet against Asaram and four other co-accused Shiva, Shilpi, Sharad and Prakash was filed by the police on November 6, 2013 under various sections of the POSCO Act, Juvenile Justice Act and IPC.
As per the directions of the Rajasthan High Court, the trial court will today deliver its verdict in the Jodhpur Central Jail premises where Asaram has been lodged for the past over four years.
If convicted, Asaram could be jailed for a minimum of 10 years or awarded a maximum life term, according to prosecution lawyers.
Security has also been stepped up around the victim's house in Shahajahanpur.
The Union Ministry yesterday directed the three state governments to tighten security and deploy additional forces, in view of the fact that large-scale violence was witnessed in Haryana, Punjab and Chandigarh after a special court in Mohali convicted self-styled godman Ram Rahim of rape charges.
Apprehending a threat to law and order, Delhi has also been put under high alert as large number of followers of the 77-year-old Asaram are expected to throng the premises.
Asaram's followers held prayers today in his support, seeking a favourable verdict.
#Visuals from Ahmedabad: Followers of #Asaram praying ahead of #AsaramCaseVerdict. #Gujarat pic.twitter.com/Qn96T8mNhz
— ANI (@ANI) April 25, 2018
A supporter of Asaram was was detained outside the Central Jail in Jodhpur where prohibitory orders have been clamped in view of a trial court verdict in the rape case against the self-styled godman. Asaram's supporter reached near the jail and tried to put a garland on his poster, but the policemen nabbed him.
The supporter managed to reach there despite high-security arrangements.
Both the roads towards the Central jail where Asaram is lodged have been sealed and only mediapersons are allowed outside the jail.
(Agencies)