Supreme Court rejects Asaram's bail plea in 2013 Jodhpur rape case on medical grounds
The Supreme Court refused to grant immediate bail to self-styled godman Asaram in the 2013 Jodhpur rape case, declining his plea for interim relief on medical grounds while agreeing to hear his appeal against the Rajasthan High Court's judgment upholding his conviction.
A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Sheel Nagu issued notice to the Rajasthan government on Asaram's special leave petition challenging the Rajasthan High Court's May 2026 verdict, which upheld his conviction and life sentence for the sexual assault of a minor devotee.
During the hearing, Asaram's counsel sought interim bail, citing his advanced age of 90 and deteriorating health. However, the Supreme Court said it would first hear the state's response before considering any request for bail.
"We are not granting bail now. Subject to hearing the state, we will consider if there is grave necessity to grant bail, like if his health condition is such that his life is in danger," the bench observed.
The court granted the Rajasthan government three weeks to file its response and clarified that Asaram could approach the court again if his medical condition worsens in the meantime.
The case stems from allegations that a minor girl was sexually assaulted at Asaram's ashram near Jodhpur in August 2013. In 2018, a trial court convicted him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other provisions of law, sentencing him to life imprisonment. In May this year, the Rajasthan High Court upheld the conviction while acquitting him and two co-accused of charges related to criminal conspiracy and gang rape.
