Asaram verdict reactions: Was threatened to change victim’s birth date, much relieved now, says school principal

The kin of the Delhi gang-rape victim Nirbhaya today welcomed the life imprisonment awarded to self-styled godman Asaram in a rape case. Nirbhaya's grandfather said that during the tragedy that struck his granddaughter, Asaram had defended the culprits and instead held the girl responsible for it.

The school principal of the victim said he was much relieved with the Jodhpur court pronouncing Asaram guilty of rape.

The teacher, who is also a witness in the case, said he had been facing threats from Asaram's followers to change the child's date of birth to help the godman evade stringent punishment under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

"There was pressure on me to change the date of birth mentioned by the guardian in the form at the time of admission. The disciples wanted me to show the age to be more than it actually was so as to suit them," he said after the verdict.

"But society has a lot of faith in schools and it was my moral duty to live up to it and I fulfilled my responsibility," he added.

Praising the verdict, Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said, "The time has come when people should be able to differentiate between the actual saints and the frauds, as this creates a bad image of the country in the international arena."

"We welcome this judgment, more so because the perpetrator of this crime is a very powerful person who holds a position of trust, the devotees go to these godmen when they are in trouble and the guru must protect them and not sexually assault them. The ordinance will have a prospective effect not a retrospective effect," said the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights Chairperson Stuti Kacker.

Following the verdict, the Victims lawyer Utsav Bains said, "This is a victory for all such victims and a clear message has been sent out to all the perpetrators of such crimes that you cannot escape the wrath of the law. The victim and her father have really been brave and kudos to them."

Retired IPS officer D G Vanzara told the media that there is no rape case against Asaram and the only charge is that he inappropriately touched the victim. Vanzara who visited the Ahmedabad ashram of Asaram said he is a follower of the self-styled godman. 

The Home Ministry on Wednesday said that no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the country in the wake of the conviction. The ministry is also keeping itself abreast of the prevailing situation, particularly in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana.

The father of the teenager raped by Asaram expressed satisfaction over the Jodhpur court verdict convicting the self-styled godman and thanked the judiciary and the media for it.

"We had complete faith in the judiciary and are happy that we got justice," he told mediapersons soon after the court verdict," he said.

"For the past four months, our family members had not been coming out (of our house)...it is satisfying that the verdict has gone against him," he added.

Rest of the two accused Shilpi and Sharad sentenced to 20 years each in jail by Jodhpur Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court in a rape case.

Asaraam sentenced to life imprisonment by Jodhpur Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Court in a rape case.

Congress tweeted a video on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relationship with Asaram Bapu. The party, from its verified Twitter handle, quotes Aesop's fables: 'A man is known by the company he keeps' 

'A man is known by the company he keeps' - Aesop's fables #AsaramVerdict pic.twitter.com/CTOQ8HKJ1O

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 25, 2018

Retired IPS officer D G Vanzara arrived at the Ahmedabad ashram of Asaram and met with ashram officials. He told the media that there is no rape case against Asaram and the only charge is that he inappropriately touched the victim. Vanzara said he is a follower of the self-styled godman. Vanzara is also related to the 2004 Ishrat Jahan encounter case. (Express Photo/Javed Raja)

So, Asaram is a child rapist. And he has been found guilty. Good.

But can people please stop sharing images of him with PM Modi. Patronising him before he was exposed to be a pervert is no crime.

Let’s be fair and give him the benefit of doubt that he, like us, did not know.

— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) April 25, 2018

The court is yet to set a date for deciding on the quantum of sentence for Asaram.  He faces a minimum sentence of ten years in jail and a maximum of life imprisonment under the stringent sections of a law on sexual crimes against children. He has reportedly been found guilty of sexual assault, criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation and illegal confinement of a minor. He can now appeal against his conviction in a higher court.

Soon after Asaram Bapu's conviction, the father of Shahjahanpur victim said, "Asaram is convicted, we have got justice. I want to thank everyone who supported us in this fight. Now I hope he will get strict punishment. I also hope the witnesses who were murdered or kidnapped get justice." (ANI photo)

Reacting to news about Asaram's conviction, which is still not confirmed by us, Asaram spokesperson Neelam Dubey said, "We will discuss with our legal team and then decide our future course of action. We have confidence in our judiciary." (ANI photo)

Some reports are saying that Asaram Bapu has been convicted in the rape case, but our reporter has not confirmed the same. Follow for latest updates.

Proceedings are underway in the Jodhpur Central Jail premises where a trial court judge Madhusudhan Sharma is set to pronounce the verdict.

Mahendra Chawla, the main eyewitness in the Asaram's son Narayan Sai's sexual assault case said, "Trust judiciary and am confident that Asaram will be convicted. I request judiciary that such rapists should be hanged. Though I have security, I request Centre for additional security, my life like other witnesses is constantly under threat. "

Chawla was one of the witnesses who was attacked in 2015 by two unidentified men on a motorcycle. They had entered his house and opened fire, hitting him twice in the back. (ANI photo)

Prayers underway at Asaram's ashram in Bhopal, Varanasi and other places.  (ANI photo)

Welcome to our LIVE blog.  A Jodhpur Court will soon pronounce its verdict in a sexual assault case against self-proclaimed godman Asaram Bapu. Follow to get the latest updates on how people react to the verdict.