India’s self-styled ‘godman’ and rape convict Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was on Monday sentenced to 20 years jail for the rape and criminal intimidation of two female disciples, reports the IANS.

The sect chief has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in each of the two cases of rape.

Both sentences will run consecutively.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court judge Jagdeep Singh announced the sentences here on Monday.

The court also imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the sect chief.

The rape victims will get Rs 14 lakh each as compensation from this amount.

The court had on Friday held the Dera chief guilty of rape and criminal intimidation of the two female disciples in 1999. The complaint in the case was filed in 2002.

Timeline

2002: Anonymous letters addressed to then PM and the then Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, allege sexual exploitation of women followers at Dera Sacha Sauda in Sirsa

September 24, 2002: The Punjab and Haryana High Court hands over the case to CBI

July 30, 2007: CBI files chargesheet against the dera head

September 6, 2008: Special CBI court frames charges against Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh under Sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC

April 5, 2011: Special CBI court shifted from Ambala to Panchkula; the case also transferred to the Panchkula CBI court

August 17, 2017: Special CBI Judge Jagdeep Singh reserves verdict for August 25

August 25: Dera head held guilty of rape