An Indian court has sentenced self-proclaimed spiritual guru Asaram to life in prison for raping one of his devotees, the BBC reports.

He was found guilty of repeatedly raping a woman between 2001 and 2006 at his ashram in the western state of Gujarat.

The 81-year-old inmate is currently serving a life sentence for raping a 16-year-old girl.

His lawyer said he is appealing the court's latest sentence.

Asaram, known for his teachings on yoga and meditation, has millions of followers and hundreds of ashrams around the world.

Gujarat authorities stepped up security measures ahead of Tuesday's ruling because of fears that the guru's supporters might resort to violence.

A day earlier, a Gandhinagar court convicted Asaram under various articles of the Indian Penal Code, including rape and unlawful detention.

Six other defendants in the case, including Asaram's wife and daughter, were acquitted because of insufficient evidence.

On Tuesday, the court fined Asaram 23,000 rupees ($281) and ordered him to pay 50,000 rupees in compensation to the victim.

The allegations of sexual assault first came to light in 2013, when a woman filed a complaint against the guru.