Indian guru gets 20 years' jail for rape

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh also faces charges of murder in two separate cases, and is accused of castrating 400 men inside his ashram.

ROHTAK (India): Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, a self-styled "godman" who gained both a cult-like following and notoriety for ordering the castration of male followers, yesterday begged for forgiveness when a judge slapped a 20-year jail term on him for raping two women.

As soon as the judge passed the sentence inside the prison where the 50-year-old spiritual guru was being held, Singh fell to the floor and cried, Indian broadcaster NDTV reported.