Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court has granted a three-month extension to the temporary bail of Asaram Bapu, a self-styled godman, due to his ongoing need for medical treatment.
At 86 years old, Asaram is serving a life sentence in Jodhpur Central Jail for rape and was initially granted interim bail on health grounds, citing heart issues and other age-related complications. The Supreme Court had permitted his temporary release until March 31, 2025, on medical grounds, and the Gujarat High Court’s recent ruling has now extended this period.
Asaram, who once garnered millions of followers as a spiritual leader, has encountered numerous legal challenges over the last decade. His troubles began in 2013 when a minor girl from Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, accused him of sexual assault at his ashram in Jodhpur. In 2018, he was convicted under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and sentenced to life imprisonment. Additionally, in 2023, a Gandhinagar court imposed another life sentence for raping a woman at his ashram in Gujarat between 2001 and 2006.
His requests for bail have been repeatedly denied by several courts, including the Gujarat High Court in August 2024, before the Supreme Court granted him interim relief specifically for medical reasons. The Supreme Court has imposed restrictions on his interactions with followers during his release to prevent any potential misuse.
Despite his convictions, Asaram has been granted temporary releases several times. In 2018, he received a seven-day parole that was later extended by five days, and in December 2024, he was awarded a 17-day parole before being granted interim bail in January 2025.
Given the high-profile nature of Asaram’s case and the associated risks to witnesses, security measures for the rape survivor’s family have been heightened following the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail. Law enforcement continues to closely monitor the situation.
