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Asaram's Fragile Freedom: Rajasthan HC Extends Bail Till as Rape Appeal Verdict Looms
In a closely watched development, the 's Jodhpur bench on , extended self-styled godman Asaram's interim bail by one month—until or the delivery of judgment in his ongoing appeal against a life sentence for raping a minor, whichever comes first. The division bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma balanced the convict's medical needs against the state's concerns, applying conditions from a prior order.
This extension comes as Asaram, now 86, remains out on bail initially granted for six months starting , due to his described "vegetative condition" and lack of jail medical facilities.
A Trail of Allegations: Rape to 2018 Conviction and Endless Appeals
The saga traces back to , when Asaram was accused of raping a minor girl at his Jodhpur ashram. A sessions court convicted him in , handing down life imprisonment. Asaram has been in custody since his arrest, also facing a separate life term from a Gujarat court in for assaulting an adult disciple.
His Rajasthan appeal (D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 123/2018) has seen multiple bail bids. Initial interim relief came in , followed by the six-month grant in after surrender upon prior bail expiry. The mirrored this in . In , the dismissed a bail cancellation plea but urged the high court to expedite the appeal within three months.
Hearings concluded recently: Asaram's counsel wrapped arguments by , with the victim's side finishing on April 20, reserving judgment.
Defense Push Meets State Pushback: Health vs. Justice Delay Fears
Senior advocate
, assisted by a team including
,
, and others via video conferencing, argued the appeal was fully heard within the six-month bail window, with written submissions filed.
"The case has been argued finally... but time may be taken to pronounce the judgment,"
Kamath urged, seeking continuation of interim bail as permitted by the prior order.
The state, represented by Additional Advocate General and Government Advocate , opposed extension but conceded to a maximum of one month if granted, wary of prolonged relief for a convicted rapist.
Reserved Verdict Seals Short Extension: Echoes of Prior Medical Mercy
The bench noted the judgment reservation on , and extended relief "under the same conditions as laid down by us in our order dated , which will apply ." This decision hinges on Asaram's age, ongoing treatment, and the appeal's advanced stage, avoiding disruption to medical care unavailable in Jodhpur Central Jail, where he's been held since .
No new precedents were cited, but the order reinforces principles of interim suspension of sentence under when appeals near resolution and health imperatives loom, as seen in prior directives.
Straight from the Judgment: The Bench's Key Words
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"Vide our order dated
, interim bail was granted to the appellant for a period of six months from the date of release."
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"Learned Senior Counsel for the appellant has argued the case finally within the period of six months, but time may be taken to pronounce the judgment."
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"Having taken note of the fact that the judgment has been reserved on
and written submissions have also been advanced... we extend our bail order for a period of another one month, i.e., up to
or up to the date the judgment is delivered by the Division Bench, whichever is earlier."
Countdown to Clarity: Surrender or Acquittal on Horizon?
The application (No. 1837/2025) stands disposed, tying Asaram's freedom to the appeal's outcome. If the verdict arrives before , he must comply immediately; otherwise, surrender follows. This ruling underscores courts' discretion in bail extensions for aging convicts with health crises, potentially influencing similar pleas, but signals no leniency on merits—eyes now on the reserved judgment.
