A lawyer recently called out the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for displaying advertisements featuring self-styled godman and convicted rapist Asaram Bapu. The controversy erupted after the lawyer shared images of posters promoting “Parents Worship Day” inside Delhi Metro premises, featuring Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence for rape.
Lawyer’s Outrage Over Metro Advertisements
Expressing his disappointment, the lawyer took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and slammed DMRC for allowing a convicted criminal’s images to be displayed in public transport. He wrote, “Shame @OfficialDMRC. How can Delhi Metro allow a criminal convicted under RAPE CHARGES, who is serving his sentence in jail, to endorse posters inside the metro? Highly shameful act by #DelhiMetro.”
Shame @OfficialDMRC
How can Delhi Metro allow a criminal who is convicted under RAPE CHARGES, and spending his conviction inside jail, endorse his posters, pics etc inside the Delhi metro rail?
Highly shameful act by #delhimetro pic.twitter.com/qP7ryrvmhp
— The Legal Man (@LegalTL) February 6, 2025
The images showed Asaram Bapu prominently featured in the ads, sparking outrage among social media users. Many questioned how such advertisements were approved in the first place.
DMRC’s Response and Removal of Ads
Responding to the criticism, DMRC assured that it had initiated the removal process. The organization posted on X, “DMRC has issued immediate instructions to the licensee to get these advertisements removed from the Metro premises at the earliest. The removal process shall begin tonight, but it may take some time to be fully completed.”
While some netizens appreciated DMRC’s quick response, others criticized the lack of a strict screening process for advertisements. One user questioned, “How come these ads are put up instantly, but it takes days to remove them?” Another user disagreed with the removal, arguing, “Parents Worship Day promotes good values. Why remove the ad?”
Asaram Bapu’s Conviction
Asaram Bapu was convicted in 2023 for repeatedly raping a woman disciple between 2001 and 2006 at his ashram in Gujarat. The court found him guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including rape (Section 376 2C) and unnatural offenses (Section 377). Despite serving a life sentence, he was granted interim bail until March 31, 2024, on medical grounds.
This incident has once again raised concerns about the advertisement approval system in public spaces, prompting calls for stricter regulations to prevent such controversies in the future.
