Asaram rape case: HC suspends co-accused Shilpi''s 20-year jail sentence

Our Correspondent 
Jaipur, September 29

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The Rajasthan High Court on Saturday suspended a 20-year jail sentence given to a woman aide of controversial spiritual leader Asaram Bapu in a rape case.

The court was hearing an appeal that Sanchita alias Shilpi, Asaram’s key aide convicted in the rape of a teenage follower, had filed against her sentence in the high court. The court also asked her to provide a personal bail bond of Rs 2 lakh and two guarantees of Rs 1 lakh each.

Justice Vijay Vishnoi, whose Single Bench finished hearing Shilpi’s appeal on September 26, gave its decision after reviewing a conversation held between the co-accused Shilip and Asaram, who has been sentenced to life under Protection of Children against Sexual Offences Act and the Indian Penal Code for raping of a teenage girl in his Ashram in August 2013.

Additional Advocate General Shivkumar Vyas and Public Prosecutor O P Rathi objected the suspension appeal saying Shilpi was the main link in the case.

On April 25, the special trial court set up in the Jodhpur Central Jail sentenced the 77-year-old Asaram to life imprisonment, and gave two other accused, Shilpi and Sharad, 20 years in jail. The court acquitted two others in the case.

Vyas said if no other case comes up against Shilp, she would be released soon.

Asaram submitted a mercy petition to the Rajasthan Governor in June this year asking for his sentenced to be commuted.