News for 'self-styled godman'

Rampal arrested from his ashram, to be produced in court on Thursday

Rampal arrested from his ashram, to be produced in court on Thursday

Rediff.com19 Nov 2014

Self-styled 'godman' Rampal was on Wednesday arrested from his ashram, ending an over two-week tense standoff between his supporters and the police after close to 15,000 of his followers were evacuated from the sprawling premises.

Asaram's former aide Amrut Prajapati dies

Asaram's former aide Amrut Prajapati dies

Rediff.com10 Jun 2014

More than two weeks after he was shot at from close range, jailed self-styled godman Asaram's former aide and Ayurveda doctor Amrut Prajapati died in Ahmedabad on Tuesday at his residence.

Thane mass murderer was stuck in debt of Rs 67 lakh

Thane mass murderer was stuck in debt of Rs 67 lakh

Rediff.com5 Mar 2016

According to a senior police officer of the Thane police, Hasnain had borrowed around Rs 67 lakh from his close kin on various occasions under the pretext of doing business.

Charges framed against Asaram in Jodhpur minor rape case

Charges framed against Asaram in Jodhpur minor rape case

Rediff.com7 Feb 2014

Charges were framed against self-style godman Asaram on Friday for rape, criminal conspiracy and other offences by a Jodhpur court in connection with sexual exploitation of a minor girl in his ashram in Jodhpur.

Rajasthan high court denies bail to Asaram Bapu

Rajasthan high court denies bail to Asaram Bapu

Rediff.com1 Oct 2013

The Rajasthan high court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in a sexual assault case, saying the stage is not fit for granting him relief.

Asaram sent to jail, to move bail plea on Tuesday

Asaram sent to jail, to move bail plea on Tuesday

Rediff.com2 Sep 2013

Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at his ashram, was behind bars today after he was remanded in 14-day judicial custody by a local court.

Dera violence: Honeypreet tops Haryana's wanted list

Dera violence: Honeypreet tops Haryana's wanted list

Rediff.com18 Sep 2017

Honeypreet is the only woman in the 'wanted' list.

Madam and son behind conspiracy against me: Asaram

Madam and son behind conspiracy against me: Asaram

Rediff.com29 Aug 2013

Spiritual leader Asaram Bapu on Thursday indirectly targeted United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, and accused them of leveling false accusations against him, in connection with the sexual assault of a minor.

Rape, murder, prostitution, hawala: The shady world of Asaram & son

Rape, murder, prostitution, hawala: The shady world of Asaram & son

Rediff.com4 Dec 2013

The disgraced 'god man' and his son apparently didn't leave any field of criminal activity untouched, says Vicky Nanjappa

Sexual assault case: Asaram Bapu's bail plea rejected

Sexual assault case: Asaram Bapu's bail plea rejected

Rediff.com4 Sep 2013

The bail plea of self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, was rejected on Wednesday by a Jodhpur court after the prosecution raised strong objection to setting him free.

The Secret of M L Khattar's Survival

The Secret of M L Khattar's Survival

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

Haryana's chief minister enjoys Narendra Modi's support and protection and will be in office unless the state sees a massive administrative botch-up.

Rape victim's father gives audio clip against Asaram to police

Rape victim's father gives audio clip against Asaram to police

Rediff.com21 Jul 2015

The victim's father said the alleged conversation was recorded eight months ago and he had got the tape from Kripal Singh, the slain key witness in the Jodhpur rape case.

CBI court to sentence Dera chief on Monday

CBI court to sentence Dera chief on Monday

Rediff.com27 Aug 2017

Ahead of the pronouncement of the sentence, police have left nothing to chance and have taken important functionaries of the sect, who could gather followers, into preventive custody.

'Khattar must take blame for Panchkula violence'

'Khattar must take blame for Panchkula violence'

Rediff.com3 Sep 2017

'Gurmeet Ram Rahim's political clout inhibited the chief minister, affected the bureaucracy and restricted the police.'

Asaram's sharp-shooter wanted to procure AK-47

Asaram's sharp-shooter wanted to procure AK-47

Rediff.com24 May 2016

He is now in the custody of Rajasthan Police for further probe, city Crime Branch's Assistant Commissioner of Police K N Patel said on Monday.

Dera violence claims 4 more lives; toll up to 36 in Haryana

Dera violence claims 4 more lives; toll up to 36 in Haryana

Rediff.com26 Aug 2017

The situation in Sirsa remained tense but under control, according to police.

MoSha Have Left Nothing To Chance

MoSha Have Left Nothing To Chance

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

The five-state assembly elections are seen as a now-or-never, no-holds battle for the Congress, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

30 dead as Dera followers run riot in Haryana, Punjab

30 dead as Dera followers run riot in Haryana, Punjab

Rediff.com27 Aug 2017

Dera Sacha Sauda followers went on a rampage setting fire to vehicles, buildings and railway stations following the conviction of their head -- Gurmeet Ram Rahim -- in a rape case.

You let Panchkula burn for political benefits: Court slams Khattar govt

You let Panchkula burn for political benefits: Court slams Khattar govt

Rediff.com26 Aug 2017

The high court also took note of Khattar's statement on Friday in which he blamed anti-social elements for the violence, which also spilled over into neighbouring Punjab, Rajasthan and Delhi.

SC denies bail to Asaram in sexual assault cases

SC denies bail to Asaram in sexual assault cases

Rediff.com30 Jan 2017

The apex court, while rejecting Asaram's regular bail plea, noted that the petition was based on a communication issued by Jail Superintendent of Jodhpur Central jail.

Dera chief gets lifer for journalist's murder

Dera chief gets lifer for journalist's murder

Rediff.com17 Jan 2019

The Dera Sacha Sauda chief and the three others convicted last Friday in the case appeared before the court through video conferencing.

The People Have Spoken!

The People Have Spoken!

Rediff.com11 Dec 2023

Religion matters. Aspirational India is still poor. India admires strong leaders. India values decency. Shreekant Sambrani highlights the reasons why the BJP pulled off improbable victories in the Hindi heartland.

Cops probe whether Thane mass murderer had 'split personality'

Cops probe whether Thane mass murderer had 'split personality'

Rediff.com3 Mar 2016

Hasnain had butchered 14 of his family members and then ended life after a weekend feast on Sunday.

Senior Dera official held for inciting violence after Ram Rahim's conviction

Senior Dera official held for inciting violence after Ram Rahim's conviction

Rediff.com10 Sep 2017

Efforts continued to trace Dera chief's adopted daughter Honeypreet Insan.

It was a 'war-like situation', says HC on Dera violence

It was a 'war-like situation', says HC on Dera violence

Rediff.com29 Aug 2017

The bench, comprising acting Chief Justice S S Saron and Justices Surya Kant and Avneesh Jhingan, directed that no FIR registered by the two states during the episode shall be cancelled without the permission of the high court.

SC denies bail to Asaram, constitutes medical board

SC denies bail to Asaram, constitutes medical board

Rediff.com11 Aug 2016

A three-member panel of doctors from AIIMS will assess the condition of 75-year-old Asaram and submit its report in 10 days.

After conviction, Dera chief skipped dinner in jail

After conviction, Dera chief skipped dinner in jail

Rediff.com29 Aug 2017

Ram Rahim did not talk with anyone and was seen roaming in the cell.

Violence in the name of faith won't be tolerated: PM

Violence in the name of faith won't be tolerated: PM

Rediff.com27 Aug 2017

'I want to assure the country that no country, no government can tolerate anybody taking the law into their hands, whether it is an individual or a group.'

'It's strange CBI is asking for evidence after 4 years'

'It's strange CBI is asking for evidence after 4 years'

Rediff.com6 Feb 2019

'Why didn't the CBI ask for the evidence earlier?' 'Why has it suddenly becoming imminent.'

Dera chief sentenced to 20 years in jail for 2 rapes

Dera chief sentenced to 20 years in jail for 2 rapes

Rediff.com28 Aug 2017

Haryana and Punjab remained on high alert with officials warning that violent miscreants will be shot at sight.

Review: MSG The Messenger is not a movie

Review: MSG The Messenger is not a movie

Rediff.com13 Feb 2015

MSG is a feature-length advertisement you'd be best advised to forego, says Raja Sen.

Court grants 24 hr custody of Narayan Sai to Gujarat Police

Court grants 24 hr custody of Narayan Sai to Gujarat Police

Rediff.com4 Dec 2013

Self-styled Godman Asaram's son Narayan Sai was today allowed by a Delhi court to be taken into 24-hour custody of Gujarat Police which secured his transit remand for producing him before a court in Surat in connection with a rape case.

India's controversial 'messengers of God'

India's controversial 'messengers of God'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2017

A look at few gurus who have attracted controversy in recent times.

Verdict on Dera chief: Haryana on alert, stadium made 'temporary jail'

Verdict on Dera chief: Haryana on alert, stadium made 'temporary jail'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2017

State govt said it is not averse to seeking Army's help to maintain law and order.

Nitish takes on Modi, says his Red Fort dream will remain unfulfilled

Nitish takes on Modi, says his Red Fort dream will remain unfulfilled

Rediff.com29 Oct 2013

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday hit back at Narendra Modi, comparing him to Hitler and said his desperate dream to unfurl national flag at Red Fort would remain unfulfilled.

India's controversial godmen

India's controversial godmen

Rediff.com20 Nov 2014

India's controversial godmen

India's 10 most controversial gurus

India's 10 most controversial gurus

Rediff.com20 Nov 2014

The controversy over Sant Rampal and his army of followers taking the law into their hands has once again thrown the spotlight on the clout that India's godmen possess.

14 sensational murders that shook India

14 sensational murders that shook India

Rediff.com27 Aug 2015

Rediff.com looks at other sensational murder mysteries that left India shell-shocked.

The fight against superstition gathers momentum

The fight against superstition gathers momentum

Rediff.com19 Oct 2017

Though the list of superstitious beliefs is long, often dissolving distinctions of class, caste, religion and education, Karnataka's anti-superstition bill is seen as a big step ahead.

Why babas think they are above the law

Why babas think they are above the law

Rediff.com6 Sep 2017

The babas' vote banks and the politicians' greed for en bloc votes, is the curse of Punjab and Haryana.