In July 2008, Asaram's Motera ashram was rocked by controversy after decomposed bodies of two children, aged 10 and 11, were found near the banks of Sabarmati behind the ashram's gurukul (school).

A special SC/ST court in Jodhpur is set to pronounce its verdict in a 2013 rape case against self-styled godman Asaram today. Asaram has been in jail since August 31, 2013. If convicted, the self-styled godman faces a maximum sentence of 10 years.

At the Asaram Ashram in Motera, Ahmedabad, the self-styled godman's disciples or sadhaks are waiting for his return. The vast prayer hall at the ashram has a huge screen that plays videos of Asaram's satsangs on a loop.

DEATH OF TWO BOYS

In July 2008, the Motera ashram was rocked by controversy after decomposed bodies of two children, aged 10 and 11, were found near the banks of Sabarmati behind the ashram's gurukul (school). Massive protests had followed and parents of the two boys, cousins Dipesh and Abhishek Vaghela, accused the ashram of practicing black magic rituals.

Seven sadhaks were arrested in the case. The government constituted a commission to probe the incident under retired High Court judge DK Trivedi. After eight extensions, the Justice DK Trivedi Commission finally submitted the report to the state government in July 2013. The report is yet to be tabled in the Assembly.

Asaram's sprawling ashram in Motera, Ahmedabad. Photo: Jumana Shah

In January 2014, the parents of the two cousins had moved a local court seeking transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The plea was turned down by the court.

Praful Vaghela, father of one of the two boys, tells India Today, "We repeatedly went to the Assembly urging the government to table the DK Trivedi Commission report and take action on it. But I was directed from one department to another. I finally got exhausted and dropped it. We still don't know the findings of the report. It has been 10 years and there is no closure".

ASHRAM WELCOMES EVERYONE

Yogesh, a sadhak at the ashram in Motera, passionately defends Asaram and maintains that allegations levelled against the self-styled godman are fabricated.

Official spokesperson of the ashram Neelam Dubey claims that the place functions just the way it did when Asaram was not behind bars. "Around 2,000 people visit the ashram everyday. The satsangs happen across the country. Women voluntarily do jap (chant) for Bapu's early release from jail. We are confident he will be with us soon," says Dubey.

Asaram's disciples or sadhaks at the ashram in Motera. Photo: Jumana Shah

She says that sadhaks who are unemployed get a one-time meal for a day of chanting and meditation at the ashram. "For lesser-privileged families, we issue our own ration cards through which we provide basic supplies to them. In return, we do not insist that they come to the ashram or pray to Bapu. We just ask them do some meditation wherever they are. If they choose to come to the ashram, everyone is welcome," Dubey says.

SMALL HUT TO SPRAWLING ASHRAM

Born in Sindh in undivided India in 1941, Asumal Sirumalani or Asaram settled with his family in Ahmedabad. He lived in a small hut in Motera on the banks of river Sabarmati. His father sold wood and coal. In early 1970s, Asaram decided to take the spiritual route.

Today, Asaram's ashram is spread across acres of prime land in posh Motera. He enjoyed political patronage cutting across party lines. The Asaram trust has been accused of land encroachment in Motera.

The ashram in Motera shares its walls with the cricket stadium, which is being renovated to bring it on par with international standards. In the last 15 years, the area around Sabarmati has got a major face-lift. The value of the land on which the ashram is built has gone up by several notches.

Locals, however, are wary of the ashram and its sadhaks. "We thought their [sadhaks] domineering attitude will change since Asaram is behind bars, but it hasn't. We are always scared for our kids and women. We have made innumerable representations to the local police, but there is only temporary respite," says a resident who lives in a society adjoining the ashram.

READ: Asaram rape case verdict out tomorrow, here's how case unfolded

LONG READ: Inside Asaram's Evil Empire