'Godman' who raped women jailed for 20 years by Indian judge

A self-styled "godman" who was found guilty of
raping two female devotees has been jailed for 20
years by a judge in India.
Violent protests broke out after spiritual guru
Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was convicted last week -
leaving at least 38 people dead and hundreds more
injured.
Amid fears of further clashes, the judge flew to the
prison where he is being held to deliver the sentence.
Security was dramatically tightened at the jail in the
northern town of Rohtak. Roads were lined with
barbed-wire barricades and the prison's library was
turned into a makeshift courtroom.
Singh was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for
each conviction, and the terms will run
consecutively.
At least 38 people were killed in riots following
Singh's conviction
"Shoot on sight" orders have been put in place if
anyone tries to start a protest, with curfews imposed
in states where Singh has loyal support.
An estimated 4,000 government troops are also
patrolling the small town where the sprawling
headquarters of his Dera Sacha Sauda sect is based.
The 50-year-old, who is known as the "guru in bling",
claims to have more than one million followers.
A spokeswoman for the sect has urged them to
respect the court's order.
His group often campaigns in favour of vegetarianism
and against drug addiction, and regularly organises
blood donation and tree-planting drives.
After Friday's verdict, tens of thousands of outraged
supporters took to the streets, with some setting fire
to government buildings and attacking police officers.
Television trucks were smashed and police
officers attacked during Friday's violence
In 2015, Singh started a film franchise portraying
himself as "Messenger of God" - performing miracles,
preaching to thousands and beating up gangsters
while singing and dancing.
The investigation into him began back in 2002, when
an anonymous letter was sent to India's prime
minister.
The author accused Singh of repeatedly raping her
and several other women in the sect - something he
denied.
It took years to trace the alleged victims, and it was
not until 2007 that two women came forward and
filed charges.
Singh is planning to appeal against the conviction.
Posted in: INDIA

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