The Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur will begin regular hearings from February 16 on the criminal appeals filed by self-styled godman Asaram and two of his co-convicts, Shilpi alias Sanchita Gupta and Sharad Chandra, challenging their conviction in a 2013 rape case.
A division bench comprising Justices Arun Monga and Yogendra Kumar Purohit made it clear in its February 10 order that the hearings will proceed without interruption. “The hearing shall commence from 16.02.2026 and no request for adjournment shall be entertained,” the court stated, adding that the matters will be taken up daily either at the end of the regular board or at 2 PM, whichever is earlier, until arguments by all counsel conclude.
Asaram and the two others were convicted on April 25, 2018, by a special POCSO court in Jodhpur for the sexual assault of a minor girl at an ashram in 2013. Two other accused were acquitted. The three convicts filed appeals before the high court the same year, but the hearings have seen multiple delays.
While co-accused Shilpi and Sharad Chandra have been out on bail since 2018 after their sentences were suspended, Asaram remained in prison until recently. He was granted interim medical bail for six months on October 29, 2025, for undergoing treatment.
The latest schedule follows a directive issued by the Supreme Court in December 2025, asking the Rajasthan High Court to ensure expeditious hearing and disposal of the appeals within three months.
In a previous hearing, the high court had expressed dissatisfaction over the continued absence of Asaram’s counsel and had issued a notice. On Monday, the counsel appeared via video conferencing and assured the court that arguments would commence on February 16.
The case has drawn nationwide attention over the years, and the high court’s strict scheduling indicates its resolve to bring closure to the long-pending appeals.
