Five years after charges of rape were levelled against Asaram Bapu, a high-profile spiritual guru, the Jodhpur Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribe Court on Wednesday convicted the self-styled godman along with others accused in the case.

The judgement in the case for raping a teenage female devotee in 2013 was pronounced by Judge Madhusudan inside the Jodhpur Central Jail, where Asaram is lodged.

The guru, who is 77, has 400 ashrams around the world where he teaches meditation and yoga. According to his website, he has 40 million followers around the world.

He has been convicted under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) act.

He is facing trial in two sexual assault cases: one here in Rajasthan and the other in Gujarat.

In August 2013, the parents of a 16-year-old girl had filed the zero FIR against Asaram in Delhi, accusing him of raping her at his Jodhpur ashram. On September 1, 2013, Asaram was flown in from his Indore ashram to Jodhpur and taken into police custody for a day. He was then sent to the Central Jail in Jodhpur and made to undergo a potency test, which he cleared, reports Indian Express.

While in jail, he sought special facilities such as Gangajal for his bath, special herbs and medicines, a bed and fruits and sweets, but the court rejected his plea. On November 6, 2013, the Jodhpur police filed a chargesheet against Asaram and four others. The Jodhpur court rejected Asaram’s bail plea several times. At least 42 witnesses have been cross-examined.