From Godman To Rape Convict: A Timeline of Asaram Bapu Case

August, 2013

Asaram accused of rape by a 16-year-old girl in his ashram in Manai area near Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The same month, the victim’s family files complaint against Asaram in Delhi case transferred to Jodhpur Police.

September 1, 2013

Asaram arrested in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, after 11 days in hiding, brought to Jodhpur the next day.

November 6, 2013

Asaram and four others chargesheeted under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and other acts. Two days later, a trial starts after order from Rajasthan High Court that hearings should be conducted daily.

February, 2014

Charges are framed against Asaram by Jodhpur court but he pleads not guilty.

August 19, 2014

Asaram's bail petition is rejected by the Supreme Court. The godman files another plea, but that too is rejected.

January 11, 2015

Key witness in the case, Akhil Gupta, shot dead in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar. The next month, Rahul Sachan, another key witness, attacked with knife in Jodhpur court premises.

July, 2015

The Case takes a twist with one of the witnesses, Sudha Pathak, turning hostile and another one Kripal Singh shot dead.

April 7, 2018

Final arguments in the case completed, court reserves order for April 25. Two weeks later, Asaram found guilty under IPC Section 376 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).

January 2023

Gandhinagar court convicts Asaram for raping the Surat-based devotee. Asaram's wife Lakshmi, daughter Bharati, and four female followers — Dhruvben, Nirmala, Jassi and Meera — are acquitted.