Asaram Bapu was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Jodhpur court in 2018 for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in his ashram in 2013. Two of his accomplices were also sentenced to 20 years in jail for their alleged role in the crime
GUWAHATI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday, January 7, granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram on medical grounds. However, since he has been convicted in two separate rape cases, the 83-year-old will remain in jail as he requires another interim bail to secure release.
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A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and Rajesh Bindal allowed Asaram’s interim bail until March 31 but imposed restrictions, including a ban on meeting his followers after his release. The court also directed the police to escort Asaram to the hospital of his choice for treatment but clarified that they should not dictate the location of his medical care.
Asaram’s lawyers argued for interim bail, citing serious medical ailments. He returned to prison in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on January 1 after completing a 17-day parole (15 days of parole and two days of travel). He had previously sought treatment in Pune and was admitted to AIIMS Jodhpur for a heart-related condition.
Asaram, whose real name is Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Jodhpur court in 2018 for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl in his ashram in 2013. Two of his accomplices were also sentenced to 20 years in jail for their alleged role in the crime.
In January 2023, Asaram was convicted in another rape case involving a woman at his ashram near Gujarat’s Gandhinagar in 2013. A Gandhinagar trial court sentenced him to life imprisonment, and his plea to suspend the sentence was further rejected by the Gujarat High Court in August. The court observed that no grounds for relief had been established.
The Supreme Court had previously sought a response from the Gujarat government on Asaram’s plea to suspend his sentence in the Gandhinagar case. However, the court maintained that it would examine the matter only if valid medical grounds were presented.
Despite interim bail being granted, his release from custody remains contingent on the resolution of pending legal requirements in the second case.
