NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence following his conviction in a 2013 rape case. The interim bail, effective until March 31, 2025, was approved on medical grounds, acknowledging Asaram’s deteriorating health and the necessity for specialized treatment.
Despite this relief, Asaram will continue to be incarcerated due to a separate life imprisonment sentence in a 2013 rape case in Rajasthan. The Supreme Court’s interim bail pertains to a different case, and his release is contingent upon obtaining similar relief from the Rajasthan High Court.
Asaram’s legal team has promptly filed an application in the Rajasthan High Court, seeking suspension of his sentence on comparable medical grounds. They argue that his advanced age, compounded by multiple health issues, warrants temporary release for appropriate medical care.
This development marks the first significant legal reprieve for Asaram since his arrest in August 2013. The Supreme Court has stipulated that during the interim bail period, Asaram is prohibited from meeting his followers, aiming to prevent any potential influence or disruption.
Asaram, born Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, rose to prominence in the early 1970s as a spiritual leader, establishing numerous ashrams and schools across India and abroad. His reputation suffered a severe blow following multiple legal proceedings, including charges of rape and witness tampering. In 2018, he was convicted for the rape of a minor girl and sentenced to life imprisonment by a special court in Jodhpur.
The current interim bail granted by the Supreme Court is limited to facilitating medical treatment. Asaram’s release from incarceration remains uncertain, pending decisions from the Rajasthan High Court regarding his existing life sentence in the 2013 rape case.
Source: Web Team, C6N
