At a makeshift trial court in Jodhpur, Judge Madhusudhan Sharma on Wednesday (April 25) found that rapist and self-styled godman Asaram Bapu was guilty of rape. The godman and four others were charged with raping a 16-year-old girl in August 2013. The quantum of judgment, not yet given could be up to and over 10 years in jail or more as per enhanced provision of the POCSO Act.

Security was tightened across Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana where Bapu has huge followings. The victim’s security was also heightened as per directions from the home ministry which expected law and order problems as was seen in the arrest of Ram Rahim.

–          India Legal Bureau