The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to self-styled ‘godman’ Asaram Bapu until March 31, citing medical grounds. The bail is subject to strict conditions, including a prohibition on meeting his followers while out of jail. The court also directed that law enforcement officials be deployed to ensure supervision during the bail period.
Asaram, whose real name is Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, was arrested by Jodhpur Police on August 31, 2013, in connection with a rape case. He has been in custody ever since. The case involved a teenage girl from Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, who accused Asaram of sexually assaulting her at his ashram in Manai village near Jodhpur.
Medical reports presented to the court revealed that Asaram has a history of heart ailments and has previously suffered a heart attack. The Supreme Court’s order follows Asaram’s recent return to Jodhpur jail after being released on a 17-day parole.
In April 2018, a Jodhpur court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment after convicting him of raping a minor girl at his ashram in 2013. The godman was further convicted in January 2023 by a Gujarat court for sexually assaulting a Surat-based woman at another ashram in 2013.
The legal battles for Asaram have been ongoing. Last year, the Supreme Court sought a response from the Gujarat government regarding a plea filed by the convicted godman to suspend his life sentence imposed by a trial court. However, in August 2024, the Gujarat High Court rejected Asaram’s petition seeking suspension of his life sentence in the Gandhinagar rape case.
