A judge delivered the guilty verdict at a jail in the city of Jodhpur, in the western state of Rajasthan, where Asumal Harpalani, commonly known as Asaram Bapu, has been held since September 2013. The 77-year-old, who has more than 400 ashrams around the world according to his website, had been denied bail a dozen times. “It goes on to show that even if you are a ‘godman,’ if you commit a crime, our judiciary will get you,” Thakur said. Two of the preacher’s aides were also convicted and jailed for 20 years each, while two others were acquitted. Last year, followers of another guru, Gurmeet Ram Rahim, ran amok after he was found guilty of rape, unleashing violence that killed more than 30.

Source: Dhaka Tribune April 25, 2018 11:03 UTC