The Sant Asaram Bapu Trust runs 425 ashrams, a few of these abroad, 1400 Yog Vedant Seva Samiti, 17000 Bal Sanskar Kendra and 50 Gurukuls. In many of these states, his trust has been accused of setting up the ashram on encroached land.
The biggest money spinners, however, are the three to four annual Gurupurnima functions during which Bapu receives donations running into crores of rupees.
Until his arrest, Asaram enjoyed VVIP status at airports; he would not be frisked and would drive straight to the aircraft.
After the allegation of sexual assault, he reportedly moved around with muscle men. His disciples and Asaram himself have been known to assault people.
