The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday approved an interim bail for Asaram, a self-styled godman, until March 31. Asaram is currently serving a life sentence for the rape of a minor in 2013 at his ashram in Jodhpur. This decision aligns with a similar relief granted by the Supreme Court in a separate rape case involving Asaram, which also cited his various ailments and the need for medical treatment as reasons for the bail.
Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur of the Rajasthan High Court considered the plea under similar grounds as those acknowledged by the Supreme Court, leading to the suspension of Asaram’s sentence temporarily. Asaram’s legal representative, Nishant Bora, emphasized the consistency of the conditions between the two courts’ decisions. However, he noted a specific condition unique to the High Court’s ruling: should Asaram wish to travel outside Jodhpur, he must cover the expenses for the three constables assigned to accompany him.
The case against Asaram dates back to April 2018, when a lower court found him guilty of raping a minor and sentenced him to life imprisonment. His recent legal motions, supported by medical grounds, have opened a temporary path for him to seek treatment outside the confines of prison, although under strict surveillance.
