Rajasthan High Court grants interim bail to Asaram Bapu in 2013 rape case
Pranav B Prem
The Rajasthan High Court, on January 14, 2025, granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu in a 2013 rape case involving a minor, citing medical grounds. A Division Bench comprising Justice Dinesh Mehta and Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur passed the order, aligning with a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted him interim bail in another case on similar grounds.
Background of the Case
Asaram Bapu was convicted in April 2018 for sexually assaulting a minor girl in Jodhpur’s Manai village in 2013. The charges against him included trafficking, rape, outraging a woman’s modesty, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), and the Juvenile Justice Act. The criminal trial commenced in 2014 and lasted for four years, during which nine witnesses were attacked, with three of them succumbing to their injuries. Despite appeals for suspension of his sentence, including a plea in 2022, the courts consistently denied relief until this recent development.
Supreme Court Precedent
The High Court referred to an earlier Supreme Court order dated January 7, 2025, which granted interim bail to Asaram in another case until March 31, 2025, due to his deteriorating health. The apex court noted that Asaram, aged 85, had suffered multiple heart attacks and required regular medical attention.The Supreme Court emphasized: “The medical condition of the petitioner is not in dispute... It is the concern of the State and this Court to take into consideration the health condition of the petitioner-convict.”
Arguments Presented
Advocates RS Saluja, Nishant Bora, Acharaj Singh, Yashpal Singh Rajpurohit, and Bharat Sain represented Asaram, while AAG Deepak Choudhary represented the State, and Advocate PC Solanki appeared for the complainant. The petitioner’s counsel argued that Asaram’s health was precarious, necessitating specialized medical care outside the prison. They further assured the Court that he would abide by all conditions imposed during the bail period.
On the other hand, the prosecution opposed the bail, arguing that Asaram’s release could send a wrong message to society given the grave nature of the crimes he was convicted for.
High Court’s Decision
The Court granted Asaram interim bail until March 31, 2025, on similar conditions imposed by the Supreme Court. These conditions include:
- Asaram must not meet with groups of followers.
- Three police personnel must accompany him at all times during his medical treatment.
- Any expenses for travel, lodging, and boarding of the police personnel will be borne by Asaram if he seeks treatment outside Jodhpur.
The Court clarified that this relief is strictly for medical reasons and does not indicate a review of the merits of the case.
Cause Title: Asaram Bapu v State
Case No: D.B Criminal Misc Suspension of Sentence Application (Appeal) No. 68 of 2025
Date: January-14-2025
Bench: Justice Dinesh Mehta, Justice Vinit Kumar Mathur
[Read/Download order]
