In 2013 rape case, Asaram Bapu, a self-described "Godman," was sentenced to life in jail

SELF-STYLED godman Asaram Bapu was given a life sentence on Tuesday for a decade-old instance of sexual assault on a female devotee. Asaram was found guilty by the session court the day before today. The 81-year-old is presently incarcerated in a Jodhpur prison, where he is completing a life term for raping a young girl in 2013 at his ashram in Rajasthan.

After hearing the arguments on the length of the sentence, Sessions Court Judge D K Soni made the decision.

Asaram was found guilty of sexual assault in this case under Sections 376 and 377. In addition, the victim would get Rs 50,000 in ex-gratia, according to Public Prosecutor RC Kodekar.

The prosecution insisted during the court today that Asaram be treated as a chronic criminal and should get the worst sentence possible.

"We have argued in court that Asaram deserves the worst sentence possible for the manner he held the woman hostage, raped and sodomised her, and made her stay at the ashram. We advised the court to sentence him to life in prison. In addition, the court need to sentence him severely and compensate the victim "added the prosecutor.

In the meantime, the court found Asaram guilty on Monday in the case brought by his former female disciple in 2013 under Indian Penal Code Sections 376 2 (C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful detention), 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 357 (assault), and 506 (criminal intimidation).

Six other defendants, including Asaram's wife Laxmiben, their daughter, and four followers who were suspected of helping to commit the crime, have been cleared by the court due to a lack of evidence, according to the prosecution.