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Asaram | |
|---|---|
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| Born | Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani 17 April 1941[1] |
| Other names | Asaram |
| Organization | Shree Yog Vedanta Sewa Samiti |
| Criminal status | In Prison |
| Children | 2, including Narayan Sai |
| Conviction(s) | Rape, 2018 |
| Criminal charge | Rape, Murder, Criminal Intimidation |
| Penalty | Life imprisonment |
Capture status | Arrested on 31 August 2013, Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
Date apprehended | 1 September 2013 |
| Imprisoned at | Jodhpur Central Jail, Jodhpur |
| Website | https://www.ashram.org/ |
Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani (born 17 April 1941), known by devotees as Asaram, is an Indian spiritual leader and convicted rapist, who started to come into the limelight in the early 1970s. By 2013, he was estimated to have established over 400 ashrams and 40 schools in India and abroad.[2]
Multiple legal proceedings have been initiated against him, in connection with illegal encroachment, rape, and tampering of a witness. In 2018, Asaram was found guilty of the rape of a minor girl by Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma of a special Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe court in Jodhpur and is currently serving life imprisonment in Jodhpur.[3][4][5] Asaram's counsel has filed an appeal in the Rajasthan High Court challenging the judgment of the special court. The counsel argues that the trial court ignored significant facts and claims that the case is a clear and disturbing illustration of trial by media.[6][7]
Subramanian Swamy says that "Asaram has been framed in a false case following his drive against religious conversions. He has been implicated based on circumstantial evidences."[8][9] In December 2017, Asaram was declared as a fake baba by Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, the apex organisation of Hindu Sants (saints) and Sadhus (ascetics) in India.[10]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Daily Bhaskar 22 Aug 2013was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Asaram's daughter running empire of 400 ashrams spread over India". 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Asaram convicted for raping minor girl". The Hindu. 25 April 2018. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Self-styled godman Asaram found guilty of rape of teenager in 2013". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Conviction challenged in Rajasthan HC". The Times of India. 3 July 2018. ISSN 0971-8257.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:0was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Asaram 'Framed' in False Case, Will Seek Bail for Him: Subramanian Swamy". NDTV.
- ^ "Subramanian Swamy pleads for Asaram's bail, verdict today". The Times of India. 20 June 2015. ISSN 0971-8257.
- ^ "Apex body of sadhus releases 2nd list of fake godmen – Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 11 April 2018.