Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu returned to Jodhpur Central Jail on Wednesday after completing a 17-day parole. The parole period, granted from December 18, 2024, was meant for medical treatment.
Asaram, who is serving a life imprisonment sentence in a sexual assault case, adhered to the High Court’s directive requiring his return to jail by January 2, 2025.
Advocate Yaspali Singh Rajpurohit, representing Asaram, confirmed the compliance with court orders. “The High Court had issued an order stating that Asaram had to return to jail before January 2, otherwise it would be a contempt of court. He was brought back to the Jodhpur jail today itself,” Rajpurohit told media.
According to the official order from the Rajasthan High Court, Asaram’s parole conditions stipulated that he must surrender to the Superintendent of Central Jail, Jodhpur, by 5 PM on January 2. Asaram returned to jail a day earlier, on January 1, 2025, fulfilling the conditions.
Legal Battles Continue
On November 22, 2024, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the Gujarat government in response to a plea by Asaram seeking the suspension of his life imprisonment sentence. The plea cited medical reasons as the primary basis for interim release.
The Supreme Court clarified that it would consider the plea strictly on the basis of medical conditions. “Counsel appearing for Asaram argued that he is suffering from serious medical ailments and sought interim release,” reported ANI.
Asaram’s conviction dates back to January 2023, when a sessions court in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, sentenced him to life imprisonment under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for raping a female disciple at his Surat Ashram in 2013.
The Gujarat High Court, in August 2024, declined to suspend his life sentence after reviewing an appeal against the trial court verdict. Subsequently, Asaram approached the Supreme Court, seeking relief.
Background
Asaram was arrested in 2013 for sexually assaulting a teenage girl at his ashram near Jodhpur. The victim reported that she was called to the ashram under the pretext of spiritual guidance and was assaulted by Asaram on the night of August 15, 2013.
The case has drawn significant attention and highlighted the abuse of power and influence by self-styled godmen in India. Asaram has been in jail since his conviction and continues to face legal challenges in various courts.