Asaram Rape Case: The Rajasthan High Court on Wednesday refused to grant relief to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, upholding his life imprisonment sentence in the minor rape case. The court dismissed the 86-year-old godman's appeal against the conviction and sentence passed by a trial court in 2018.
Although the court acquitted him of the gang rape charge, the conviction and sentence on other serious charges have been upheld. The High Court has also ordered Asaram to surrender. Asaram is currently on interim bail.
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No Change In Sentence
A division bench of Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit at the Rajasthan High Court's Jodhpur bench delivered its verdict on the appeals filed by Asaram and three other accused. The court clarified that there will be no change in the life imprisonment sentence awarded by the lower court for the rape of a minor victim.
Partial Relief In Gang Rape Case
During the hearing, the court considered the charges related to gang rape and granted Asaram relief on that specific charge. The court stated that while the available evidence does not prove guilt on the gang rape charge, the other charges are sufficiently proven. Therefore, their remaining sentences and convictions are upheld.
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Co-Accused Shilpi And Sharatchandra Acquited
Asaram, co-accused Shilpi, and Sharatchandra had appealed the sentence in the High Court. After hearing arguments from all parties, the High Court reserved its verdict for April 20, 2026. The High Court delivered its verdict on Wednesday, acquitting co-accused Shilpi and Sharatchandra.
PC Solanki, the victim's lawyer, stated, "Asaram has been acquitted on the gang rape and criminal conspiracy charges; the remaining sentences will continue." Asaram has already been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a woman at his Gandhinagar ashram in Gujarat in January 2023.
What Is The Case?
On April 21, 2013, a minor filed a case against Asaram at the Jodhpur Women's Police Station, accusing him of rape at his ashram. Asaram was arrested from an ashram in Indore on August 31, 2013. After investigating the case, the police filed a charge sheet in court in November 2013.
After a lengthy trial, the Special Sessions Court convicted Asaram on April 25, 2018, sentencing him to life imprisonment and Shilpi and Sharatchandra to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment each. Asaram, Shilpi, and Sharatchandra appealed this decision in the High Court, and the verdict was delivered on Wednesday.
Earlier, the Supreme Court granted Asaram interim medical bail for the first time in January 2025. His plea for an extension of bail was rejected on August 27, 2025. On October 29, 2025, the High Court granted medical bail for six months. Then, on December 8, 2025, the top court dismissed the petition to cancel the bail and directed the High Court to deliver its decision on the appeal within three months.
On April 15, 2026, Asaram filed an application seeking an extension of bail on medical grounds. On April 16, the High Court refused an urgent hearing. On April 17, Asaram's lawyers concluded their arguments on the petition for suspension of sentence. On April 20, after hearing the arguments of the victim's side, the decision was reserved.
(With Jagran.com inputs)