Self-styled godman Mahavir, alias Sant Ram Rishi, was on Thursday awarded seven-year jail for having repeatedly raped an orphaned girl, who had approached him at his ashram on the campus of the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER).
The trial was completed in about seven months, and the court of additional district and sessions judge SS Sahni also imposed a penalty of Rs 7,000 on 47-year-old Mahavir after holding him guilty of rape and criminal intimidation. The 17-year-old victim's testimony and medical evidence proved Mahavir's guilt.
The girl, in her statement to the court, had said that on the suggestion of a friend she had gone to the ashram "in pursuit of peace and emotional support as she had lost her parents long ago". She told the police, "I had gone to meet him on May 3, when Mahavir told me that I would get married soon and would lead a happy life." With the promise to solve all her problems, he asked for sexual favours from her. When she refused, Mahavir forcibly took her inside the ashram and raped her thrice, it was alleged.
Later, Mahavir threatened her that he would eliminate her family if she complained against him. After repeated threats, Mahavir even went to her house in Dadumajra to pick her up on May 15, when she finally reported the matter to the police. The same day, the police arrested Mahavir. Charges were framed on August 2 and the victim's statement, corroborated by medical reports, was recorded on September 26.
{{/usCountry}}Later, Mahavir threatened her that he would eliminate her family if she complained against him. After repeated threats, Mahavir even went to her house in Dadumajra to pick her up on May 15, when she finally reported the matter to the police. The same day, the police arrested Mahavir. Charges were framed on August 2 and the victim's statement, corroborated by medical reports, was recorded on September 26.
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