Jodhpur, April 1 – Self-styled godman Asaram, convicted of raping a minor girl at his ashram, has surrendered at the Jodhpur Central Jail on Tuesday following the expiration of his 31-day interim bail. The interim bail, granted by the Rajasthan High Court, ended on March 31, prompting his return behind bars. A fresh petition has been filed seeking an extension of his bail, with a court hearing scheduled for April 2.
Bail Extension Plea Under Judicial Review
Asaram’s legal counsel, Advocate Nishant Boda, moved the Rajasthan High Court to extend his interim bail. However, due to court holidays between March 29 and 31, the matter could not be heard. Advocate Dinesh Jain, representing Asaram, confirmed that the court will take up the matter on Wednesday, April 2. If the extension is not granted, Asaram will remain in custody.
Previously, the Gujarat High Court had granted Asaram three months of interim bail on medical grounds, which concluded on March 31. A bench of two judges had delivered a split verdict on extending bail, leading to a referral to a third judge, who ultimately ruled 2-1 in favor of granting bail.
Long Legal Battle and Pending Petitions
Asaram’s legal team had earlier withdrawn a regular bail plea after no favorable outcome seemed likely. A separate petition for extending the interim bail was filed, but the Rajasthan High Court had directed them to approach the Gujarat High Court first. While a hearing in Rajasthan was scheduled for March 27, it was deferred as the Gujarat court’s verdict was still pending.
The Gujarat High Court’s decision came on March 28, after being reserved on March 25. With the two-judge bench delivering split opinions, the case was reassigned by the Chief Justice to a third judge, whose favorable ruling allowed Asaram temporary release, now concluded.
Background
Asaram is currently serving a life sentence for sexually assaulting a minor girl in 2013 at his Jodhpur ashram. His bail petitions have repeatedly drawn sharp legal scrutiny due to the serious nature of his conviction and public outcry.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
