Summary:
The court of district and sessions judge, Pratap Gadhvi, had held Sai and four other accused, including two woman and one man disciple, guilty on April 26, Friday.
The court had acquitted six of the total 11 accused.
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Surat: A district and sessions court here on Tuesday awarded life sentence and Rs one lakh fine to Narayan Sai, the son of self-styled godman Asaram, in a sensational rape and sexual assault case lodged over six years ago by one of the lady disciples of his father.
Three of his disciples, who had abetted him in the crime, including two women, Ganga and Jamuna and one Hanuman have been handed down 10 years jail terms and Rs 5,000 fine each.
One R Malhotra, who drove Sai`s vehicle during his absconding period, has been given six months jail.
All the convicts can appeal in the High Court in 60 days time.
During the hearing on the point of quantum of punishment today, Counsel of Sai, citing various earlier orders of the High Court and the Supreme Court requested clemency as the case was filed years after the alleged incident.
He also pleaded that the said victim was adult at the time of incident and no force or temptation was used.
The public prosecutor, on the other hand, sought maximum punishment for the culprit and also compensation for the victim.
The Judge rejected the pleas.
The court of district and sessions judge, Pratap Gadhvi, had held Sai and four other accused, including two woman and one man disciple, guilty on April 26, Friday.