Gujarat HC Extends Asaram’s Interim Bail Till September 3

Gujarat High Court

The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday extended till September 3 the temporary bail granted to self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving a life sentence in a rape case.

A division bench of Justices Ilesh Vora and P.M. Raval passed the order after noting his ongoing medical condition. The relief, which was earlier set to end on August 21, will now continue until the court hears the matter next month.

Asaram, convicted by a Gandhinagar court in January 2023 for raping a woman disciple between 2001 and 2006, has been seeking bail on health grounds. He is also undergoing life imprisonment in another 2013 rape case involving a minor at his Rajasthan ashram.

The Rajasthan High Court is slated to hear his interim bail plea in that case on August 29. Following its direction, Asaram underwent a medical examination at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital on August 18.

Earlier, the Gujarat HC had extended his interim bail until August 21, citing that he was in the ICU of a private hospital. The Supreme Court had in July permitted him to move the Gujarat HC for further extension, even while cautioning against repeated pleas.

The Gandhinagar court had convicted Asaram under IPC sections including 376(2)(C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 342, 354, 357 and 506, sentencing him to life imprisonment.