Click to play videoNew Delhi: Asaram Bapu's name is just an addition to a long list of controversial spiritual gurus.
The 1980s saw Osho Rajneesh facing criticism for supporting ultra-liberal views on sex and alleged drug abuse at his ashram.
The Sathya Sai Baba of Puthaparthi too has faced allegations of sexual abuse and exposes on the alleged gimmicks behind his miracle acts.
The law has often seemed helpless, mainly due to the clout of the godmen whose followers often include top politicians and celebrities.
But things are changing now.
"There is a new awareness that is developing in this country and I am very, very happy about it and that is that more and more godmen are being exposed," says President, Rationalist International, Sanal Edamaruku.
This year the CBI court ordered the filing of rape charges against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim and down south, the Kerala Police arrested revered godman, Santosh Madhavan for his alleged involvement in a fraud case.
All this was happening even as the trial of Kanchi Shankaracharya, Jayendra Saraswathi and Vijayendra Saraswathi continue in the Supreme Court, for a case which shocked the nation. They are accused of the murder of an ex-employee of the Kanchi math.
But in a society steeped in blind faith, it may still be some time before tainted godmen can be treated as equal before the law.
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