Chandigarh: A CBI Court yesterday sentenced self-styled godman Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh to 20 years in jail and fined him Rs. 30 lakh for raping two disciples, saying he acted like a “wild beast” and didn’t even spare his “pious” followers.

CBI Court Judge Jagdeep Singh, who was flown to the District Jail in Haryana’s Rohtak where the Dera Sacha Sauda Chief is lodged, to pronounce the punishment, said the sect leader did not deserve leniency as he had sexually exploited and intimidated his disciples.

“The convict did not even spare his own pious disciples and acted like a wild beast,” the Judge said. “Both the victims put the accused on the pedestal of God and revered him like that only. However, the convict committed breach of gravest nature by sexually assaulting such gullible and blind followers.”

The Court ordered that both the victims be paid Rs. 14 lakh each. Failure to pay would lead to two more years in jail. The remaining Rs.2 lakh will be towards legal services authority.

The flamboyant Dera leader, who prefers bicep-baring T-shirts and takes on gangsters and aliens in his Messenger of God series of films, was in tears and pleaded with folded hands for mercy as the Judge read out the verdict.

Gurmeet, who enjoys immense political clout on the back of millions of followers, sat down on the floor and wept. The burly leader had to be dragged to his barrack.

MORE TROUBLE STARE AT HIM: The two 10-year prison terms could just be the beginning of a trail of troubles for the self-styled godman. There are three more cases pending against him and the CBI is investigating them.

Two of the cases pertain to conspiring murders, while the third is over alleged castration of 400 Dera followers at the sect’s headquarters in Haryana’s Sirsa.

In the two murder cases, which are in the final stages of trial before a special CBI Court in Panchkula, Singh could be awarded life sentence. The castration case is still under investigation.

It may be recalled, Ram Chandra Chhatrapati, Editor of a Hindi evening newspaper Poora Sach, was killed in July 2002 for publishing stories on unlawful activities inside Dera premises, including rape allegations.