Indian guru who raped followers and murdered journalist jailed for life

An Indian guru who murdered an editor for revealing his sexual abuse of sect members has been jailed for life.

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, 51, was handed down the sentence via video link during a court session in Panchkula, Haryana state last week. Singh is already serving 20 years for the rape of two followers.

Singh’s close aides Kuldeep Singh, Nirmal Singh and Krishan Lal also received life sentences and individual fines of $981.

“This is the triumph of truth, I feel relieved today," the Indian Express newspaper quoted Anshul Chhatrapati, the son of the slain journalist, as saying.

“The prosecution had demanded capital punishment but we're satisfied with the punishment.”

The Dera Sacha Sauda sect leader’s crimes were first exposed in a 2002 article in Hindi publication Poora Sach. The story detailed the sexual abuse suffered by an anonymous follower.

Five days later, Singh’s followers shot Poora Sach editor Ram Chander Chhatrapati outside his home. Chhatrapati later died of his injuries.

The article led to a major police investigation into abuse allegations against Singh.

Singh’s first conviction last August sparked violent protests by his followers that left at least 38 people dead and hundreds injured in Panchkula.

Before his imprisonment, Singh played himself in biopics and courted powerful politicians.

He lived with tens of thousands of his followers on a sprawling  1000-acre ashram in Haryana state.