Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu and his Rs 10,000-cr empire

The self-styled godman established an empire worth Rs 10,000 crore over the past four decades. In 1972, he started his Sant Shri Asaramji Ashram Trust from a small hut. Today, the trust has 400 branches and several other small units across India and at overseas locations.
His trust runs two journals, Rishiprasad and Lok Kalyan Setu, which have over 14 lakh subscribers.

The central trust runs 425 ashrams, of which a few are in the US. Around 1,400 Yog Vedant Seva Samitis, 17,000 Bal Sanskar Kendras, a printing press and 50 gurukuls are also managed by the trust. The vast tracks of land he holds are worth millions.
Media reports claim that Asaram and his followers ran a lending scheme to offer cash loans to individuals at a monthly interest rate of 1-2 per cent.
After his arrest in 2013, an Income Tax Department raid unearthed benami properties and black money transactions worth Rs 2,300 crore.

He had floated three schemes, Bhajan karo, Bhojan karo and Roji pao Yojna, under which jobless people were given livelihood and food.
Under the Tribal welfare scheme, the trust allegedly issued ration cards to its followers through which food grain and household articles was distributed every month.  
Under the Vanvasi Utthan Kendras (Tribal Upliftment Centres) thr trust distributed free food grain, clothes, utensils, books and notebooks to children.

Asaram Bapu's official website says he has over 40 million followers. Despite charges of murder, rape and black magic, thousands of supporters flock to the ashrams even now. Some of the followers allegedly destroyed evidence related to the criminal cases and attacking victims' families.

The self-styled godman had many politicians and businessmen as his loyal followers. In Gujarat, successive governments of the Congress and the BJP had helped his trust grow. Reports claim that former MP chief minister Uma Bharti, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot, Shivraj Singh Chouhan of Madhya Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal of Himachal Pradesh and Raman Singh of Chhattisgarh were close to him and have helped his trust.
The godman, until he was arrested in the minor's rape case, used to enjoy VVIP status at airports and was not frisked at the security gate.