Rajasthan HC extends Asaram Bapu's interim bail till July 7 on health grounds
Synopsis
The Rajasthan High Court has again extended Asaram Bapu's interim bail — this time to July 7 — while a reserved verdict on his suspension-of-sentence plea remains pending. The 86-year-old, convicted in two separate rape cases and serving life imprisonment, has now secured repeated bail extensions on health grounds, keeping a closely watched legal question unresolved.
Key Takeaways
The Rajasthan High Court extended Asaram Bapu's interim bail until July 7 on medical grounds.
The order was passed by a Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit .
The bail will end earlier if the court pronounces its reserved verdict on Asaram's suspension-of-sentence plea before July 7.
Asaram, 86 , was convicted by a special POCSO court in Jodhpur on 25 April 2018 and sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a minor.
He was separately sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2023 in a rape case in Gandhinagar, Gujarat .
The interim bail was last extended on April 29 ; the current extension continues a pattern of periodic relief on health grounds.
The Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur has extended the interim bail of convicted self-styled godman Asaram Bapu until July 7, granting relief on medical grounds to the 86-year-old who is serving a life sentence in a rape case. The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit.
Key Developments
The court clarified that the extended interim bail will remain operative until July 7 or until the pronouncement of the reserved verdict on Asaram's plea seeking suspension of sentence — whichever comes earlier. His previous interim bail was set to expire on Monday.
During the hearing, Senior Advocate Devadatt Kamat appeared via video conferencing on behalf of Asaram, while Advocates Nishant Boda and Yashpal Singh Rajpurohit represented him in person before the Bench.
Defence's Submissions
The defence submitted that Asaram's medical treatment remains incomplete and that he continues to require ongoing medical supervision. Counsel informed the court that arguments on the suspension-of-sentence plea had concluded on April 20, after which the High Court reserved its verdict.
Given the pending decision and the continuation of treatment, the defence sought an extension of the interim relief that had previously been granted on medical grounds. The Bench noted that the interim bail — last extended on April 29 — was expiring while the court's decision remained reserved, and accordingly granted the extension.
Background: Conviction and Sentencing
Asaram was arrested in August 2013 on charges of raping a minor student at his Jodhpur ashram. A special POCSO court in Jodhpur convicted him on 25 April 2018 and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In a separate case, he was also sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2023 for the rape of a female devotee at his ashram in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Pattern of Bail Extensions
The 86-year-old has repeatedly sought bail citing advanced age and deteriorating health. The Rajasthan High Court had originally granted him interim bail on medical grounds following directions from the Supreme Court, and the relief has since been extended periodically. This latest extension continues that pattern while the court's substantive verdict on suspension of sentence remains awaited.
The next critical date is July 7, by which point either the reserved verdict will have been pronounced or the bail will require fresh consideration.
Point of View
And each extension deepens the gap between the letter of two life sentences and their practical enforcement. India's POCSO framework was designed to signal seriousness about crimes against minors; protracted bail cycles in high-profile convictions risk undermining that signal. The July 7 date is less a resolution than another waypoint unless the court uses it to finally rule on the substantive plea.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Rajasthan High Court extended Asaram Bapu's interim bail?
The court extended Asaram's interim bail until July 7 because his medical treatment is reportedly incomplete and he requires continued supervision. The extension was also granted because the High Court's reserved verdict on his suspension-of-sentence plea has not yet been pronounced.
What is the suspension-of-sentence plea filed by Asaram?
It is a legal petition seeking to suspend the operation of his life sentence while his appeal is pending. Arguments on the plea concluded on April 20, after which the Rajasthan High Court reserved its verdict — which remains pending as of the latest hearing.
What crimes was Asaram Bapu convicted for?
Asaram was convicted by a special POCSO court in Jodhpur on 25 April 2018 for raping a minor student at his Jodhpur ashram and sentenced to life imprisonment. In a separate case, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2023 for the rape of a female devotee at his ashram in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
When was Asaram first arrested?
Asaram was arrested in August 2013 on charges of raping a minor student at his ashram in Jodhpur. The trial concluded with his conviction in April 2018.
What happens if the court pronounces its verdict before July 7?
The High Court clarified that if the reserved verdict on the suspension-of-sentence plea is pronounced before July 7, the interim bail will automatically be governed by that decision — meaning it could be revoked or confirmed depending on the ruling.
