Minor Rape Victim Petitions Supreme Court to Revoke Asaram Bapu's Medical Bail

Aasaram Bapu is currently free on bail, which was granted based on medical considerations.

A minor rape victim has petitioned the Supreme Court requesting the revocation of Asaram's bail. The rape convict Asaram Bapu received bail from the Rajasthan High Court in October and subsequently from the Gujarat High Court in November, both citing medical grounds.

The victim's legal representative, Aljo Joseph, contended that the self-proclaimed godman Asaram has been traveling extensively throughout the country and does not suffer from serious illness, therefore his bail should be canceled.

The lawyer presented to the Supreme Court that in August, a medical board established by the High Court determined in its assessment that Asaram was in stable condition and did not require hospitalization.

Joseph further argued that Asaram, despite obtaining bail for health reasons, has traveled to numerous locations including Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, and Indore.

The lawyer added that Asaram even journeyed from Rishikesh to Maharashtra.

Joseph stated that Asaram has never undergone extended treatment at any hospital, pointing out that he is currently receiving ayurvedic treatment in Jodhpur and does not suffer from any ailment.

On October 29, the Rajasthan High Court granted Asaram, who is serving a life sentence for raping a minor, a six-month bail period due to health concerns.

Asaram's attorney Devdutt Kamat argued that his client has been suffering from long-term illness and proper treatment within the jail facility is not feasible. Therefore, granting bail without custody would facilitate his medical treatment.

One week later, on November 6, the Gujarat High Court also approved bail for Asaram. His counsel submitted the Rajasthan High Court's ruling to the bench for consideration.

The attorney argued that 86-year-old Asaram suffers from heart-related conditions and has a right to medical treatment.

The Gujarat Court followed the precedent set by the Rajasthan Court and granted the bail request.

Asaram has been incarcerated since August 2013 following allegations of raping a 16-year-old girl at his ashram located in Manai village near Jodhpur. The girl from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh stated in her complaint that Asaram had summoned her to his ashram on the night of August 15, 2013. He was subsequently transferred to Jodhpur Central jail that same month, from where he filed multiple bail petitions.

Two months following his arrest, Asaram and his son, Narayan Sai, were charged with the alleged rape of two sisters at their ashram in Gujarat's Surat.

On April 25, 2018, a Jodhpur court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment.

His accomplices Sharad and Shilpi received 20-year prison sentences from the court in the same case for their involvement.

Asaram was also convicted in a separate 2002 rape case and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

After nearly 12 years of imprisonment, he was initially granted interim bail on medical grounds on January 7, 2025, which was subsequently extended in July and August.

The bench rejected his plea for further extension of interim bail on August 27, after which he surrendered on August 30.