Rajasthan High Court Grants Interim Bail to Asaram Till March 31, Citing Medical Grounds in 2013 Rape Case

The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is currently serving life imprisonment in a 2013 rape case. The interim bail, valid until March 31, 2025, was granted on grounds similar to those raised in a recent plea before the Supreme Court, which had earlier granted Asaram bail in another rape case for medical treatment.

Interim Bail Granted by Division Bench

• A division bench comprising Justices Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur granted the interim relief after considering the plea filed by Asaram's counsel.
• Asaram’s counsel, Nishant Bora, argued that the grounds for interim bail were consistent with those presented before the Supreme Court in the previous case.
  • Bora stated:
    “We argued that the plea was similar in nature to that filed in the Supreme Court and the grounds stand valid in this case as well.”

Supreme Court’s Earlier Decision

• Last week, the Supreme Court granted interim bail to Asaram in another rape case, citing his deteriorating health and the need for medical treatment.
• The apex court observed that Asaram was suffering from multiple ailments, necessitating the bail to ensure proper treatment.

Conditions for Interim Bail

• The conditions for Asaram's interim bail granted by the High Court are largely identical to those set by the Supreme Court on January 7, 2025, except for one unspecified variation.
• Asaram's compliance with these conditions will be closely monitored during the bail period.

Background of the Case

• Asaram was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for raping a minor girl in Jodhpur in 2013.
• The Supreme Court’s January 7 order prompted his counsel to file a suspension of sentence plea before the Rajasthan High Court, arguing similar grounds for relief.

Significance of the Decision

• The High Court’s decision reflects the judiciary's consistent approach to granting bail on medical grounds when warranted.
• However, the case has drawn significant public attention due to its high-profile nature and the seriousness of the charges against Asaram.

Source: HINDUSTAN TIMES