Rajasthan HC Grants Interim Bail to Asaram Bapu in 2013 Rape Case on Medical Grounds

The Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur Bench) on Tuesday granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu on medical grounds in a 2013 case involving the sexual assault of a minor.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Vineet Kumar Mathur granted bail to Asaram, aligning with the Supreme Court’s interim bail order issued in another case on similar grounds. The Supreme Court’s order, effective until March 31, 2025, was extended to the present case by the High Court.

Case Background

Asaram Bapu was convicted in April 2018 for sexually assaulting a minor in Jodhpur’s Manai village in 2013. The conviction was based on charges under:

• Indian Penal Code (IPC)
• Juvenile Justice Act (JJ Act)
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act)

The charges included trafficking, rape, outraging a woman’s modesty, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation.

The criminal trial commenced in 2014 and spanned four years. During the trial, nine witnesses were attacked, with three of them tragically killed. Despite these challenges, Asaram was ultimately convicted in 2018.

Following his 2013 arrest, two women from Surat filed complaints against Asaram and his son, alleging rape between 2002 and 2005.

In 2022, Asaram’s plea to suspend his sentence was rejected by the High Court.

Legal Representation

Asaram was represented in court by Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat, along with Advocates Rajesh Gulab Inamdar and Shashwat Anand.