News India At a glance: Babas who challenged law of the land

At a glance: Babas who challenged law of the land

Sant Rampal's case has got many twists and turns but this is not for the first time that the law of the land has been challenged by a baba who has got a large pool

1. Asaram (2013): Asaram, a controversial godman, is accused of raping two girls who resided in his own Ashram.

Born 17 April 1941, Asaram is a controversial godman. He is married to Lakshmi Devi with whom he has a son, Narayan "Prem" Sai Harpalani and Bharti Devi, a daughter.
 
In 2000, the Asaram Ashram was allocated about 10 acres (4 ha) of land in Bhairavi village of Navsari district by the Gujarat government. The ashram encroached on an additional 6 acres (6 ha), leading to protests in the local villages.

On a complaint filed by locals, and after repeated notices were ignored, the district authorities with police assistance bulldozed the encroachments and took possession of the land.
 
Asaram was widely criticised after his remark that the 2012 Delhi gang rape victim was equally guilty along with those responsible for the sexual assault on her.
 
In August 2013, Asaram was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram in Jodhpur on the pretext of exorcising her from evil spirits. Asaram remained inside his other ashram in Indore and avoided arrest while his devotees clashed with journalists and policemen outside.

When the police tried to arrest him, he went into hiding from Rajasthan to Gujarat, creating utter chaos. His son too attacked anyone who dared to defy his father and come near him. Eventually the police overpowered him and had him arrested.
 

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