Today, On 14th January, The Rajasthan High Court granted interim bail to Asaram in the 2013 rape case, citing health grounds. The bail will remain in effect until March 31, 2025. This decision follows a similar order previously issued by the Supreme Court. Asaram, who has been serving a life sentence, sought relief due to his deteriorating health.
Rajasthan: The Rajasthan High Court granted interim bail on Tuesday to self-styled godman Asaram, who is currently serving a life sentence for the 2013 rape of a minor at his Jodhpur ashram.
This interim relief is effective until March 31, 2025.
This decision follows closely on the heels of a Supreme Court ruling that granted Asaram bail in a separate rape case, citing “serious health issues” and the necessity for medical treatment. The Supreme Court had extended his bail on medical grounds, which led Asaram’s legal team to file a similar request for suspension of his sentence with the Rajasthan High Court.
A division bench, including Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur, reviewed the plea and granted interim bail, observing that the High Court request mirrored the one made to the Supreme Court.
Asaram’s attorney, Nishant Bora, emphasized that the reasons for the bail request were consistent across both cases, particularly noting the godman’s declining health.
The High Court outlined conditions for Asaram’s interim bail that largely echo those established by the Supreme Court. A significant difference, however, is that if Asaram wishes to leave Jodhpur, he must bear the costs for three constables who will accompany him.
Asaram, convicted in 2018 for the 2013 rape, has faced numerous legal and medical challenges. His case has garnered substantial media coverage as he continues to assert his innocence, claiming the allegations are fabricated.
The High Court’s decision to grant interim bail highlights concerns regarding his health and the ongoing legal proceedings he is involved in. His release on medical grounds is contingent upon the stipulations set forth by both the Supreme Court and the Rajasthan High Court.
In March last year, the Supreme Court rejected Asaram’s plea challenging the Rajasthan High Court’s order upholding his conviction in another rape case. Later, he requested the Rajasthan High Court, which allowed him to receive Ayurvedic treatment at the ‘Arogayadham Center’ in Jodhpur under police custody in March 2024. He was then given parole for 15 days on December 18, along with 2 extra days for travel to receive treatment.
AS sessions court, On January 31, 2023, convicted Asaram Bapu of raping his female disciple multiple times at his Ahmedabad-based Ashram, sentencing him to life imprisonment. He was found guilty under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 376 (rape), Section 377 (unnatural offenses), Section 342 (wrongful confinement), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 357 (assault or criminal force with intent to wrongfully confine), and Section 354 (assault or criminal force against a woman with intent to outrage her modesty).
In August, the High Court rejected Asaram’s plea for interim release, citing no exceptional grounds for suspending his sentence while the appeal remains unresolved.
Consequently, Asaram approached the Supreme Court.
Filed through advocates Rajesh Inamdar and Shashwat Anand, Asaram’s petition claims his conviction is based solely on the complainant’s uncorroborated testimony and lacks medical or independent evidence. He alleges being falsely implicated to damage his reputation and remove him from his Ashram.
Case Title:ASHUMAL @ ASHARAM v. THE STATE OF GUJARAT., SLP(Crl) No. 15945/2024
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