The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Gujarat government concerning the plea of self-styled godman Asaram, who is seeking the suspension of his life sentence for a 2013 rape conviction. The apex court’s bench, led by Justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar, has agreed to consider Asaram’s request solely on medical grounds, setting the next hearing date for December 13.
In 2023, a Gandhinagar sessions court found Asaram guilty of raping a woman who was then residing in his ashram near Gandhinagar. Following his conviction, Asaram sought to suspend his life imprisonment, but his plea was denied by the Gujarat High Court on August 29, citing a lack of substantial grounds for relief. The High Court underscored that his age, alleged medical conditions, and concerns about potential delays in the appeal process did not merit a suspension of the sentence.
Asaram, who is also serving time in Jodhpur jail in Rajasthan for another rape case, has had a controversial history, including allegations related to the murder of two boys at his Sabarmati ashram and attacks on witnesses and victims’ relatives. These antecedents were taken into consideration by the High Court, further influencing its decision to deny his request for bail suspension.
The plea filed by Asaram claims that he is the victim of a conspiracy, arguing that the charges against him are unfounded and that the trial court erred in accepting the survivor’s delayed complaint, which was lodged 12 years after the alleged incident.
