(NDTV)
Ram Rahim will serve two 10-year terms consecutively in the two rape cases, Judge Jagdeep Singh ruled and has also fined him Rs. 15 lakh in each case. “Mujhe maaf kar do (Please forgive me),” said Ram Rahim as he wept in court, pleading that he is innocent. His lawyers sought a lighter sentence in view of what they called his humanitarian work, have said they will appeal in a higher court.
The two women who accused Ram Rahim of raping them 15 years ago have sought more punishment for Ram Rahim and their lawyer asked investigators to probe dozens more alleged cases of abuse. The CBI has asked the court to consider a longer prison term for the Dera chief.
Ram Rahim will be medically examined and then will behave to wear prison clothes as prisoner number 1997 at the Rohtak jail. Since Friday, when he was flown to Rohtak in a luxury helicopter, Ram Rahim reportedly occupied a special cell and was given bottled water and was allowed an assistant, amid massive criticism.
