A Jodhpur court on Wednesday held Asaram Bapu, a high-profile spiritual guru, guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in August 2013, reports The Indian Express.

He was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court. The verdict was delivered by Special Judge Madhusudhan Sharma in a makeshift court at the Jodhpur Central Jail, where the self-styled godman has been lodged since 2013. Security has been heightened across the states of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana where Asaram has a huge following. The Ministry of Home Affairs Tuesday had asked the three states to deploy additional forces in sensitive areas and ensure law and order is maintained following the judgment.

The chargesheet had named Asaram and four others — Sanchita alias Shilpi, Sharad Chandra alias Sharat Chandra, Prakash and Shiva alias Sava Ram Hethvadiya. They are charged under relevant sections of the POCSO Act, Juvenile Justice Act and the Indian Penal Code. Shilpi and Sharad Chandra were awarded 20 years each by the court, while Prakash and Shiva were acquitted.

The verdict was delivered in the Jodhpur Central Jail as per orders of the Rajasthan High Court. Section 144 has been imposed in the city, preventing assembly of more than four people.

A 16-year-old girl had accused self-styled godman Asaram Bapu of raping her on the intervening night of August 15 and 16, 2013 at an ashram in Jodhpur. Asaram has been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail since 2013. He has unsuccessfully moved 12 bail applications.

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.