Asaram surrenders at Jodhpur jail after HC upholds life sentence
Synopsis
The Rajasthan High Court has shut the door on Asaram's freedom — upholding his natural-life sentence in the 2013 minor rape case, cancelling his interim bail, and triggering an arrest warrant. After an overnight road journey from Haridwar via Delhi, the self-styled godman walked into Jodhpur Central Jail on Thursday evening, ending a legal battle that stretched over seven years post-conviction.
Key Takeaways
Asaram surrendered at Jodhpur Central Jail at approximately 5 pm on 28 May .
The Rajasthan High Court upheld his life imprisonment — meaning custody for the remainder of his natural life — in the 2013 minor rape case .
The bench of Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit cancelled his interim bail and ordered an immediate arrest warrant.
Co-accused Shilpi (hostel warden) and Sharat Chandra (Gurukul director) were acquitted for lack of evidence of criminal conspiracy.
Asaram was originally convicted by a sessions court in April 2018 ; the case dates to an assault at Manai Ashram, Jodhpur in August 2013 .
Plans to defer surrender on medical grounds were reportedly dropped after legal consultations.
Self-styled godman Asaram surrendered at Jodhpur Central Jail on Thursday, 28 May, hours after the Rajasthan High Court upheld his life imprisonment in the 2013 minor rape case and cancelled the interim bail that had kept him out of custody. The surrender, at approximately 5 pm, came after a protracted overnight journey from Haridwar to Delhi to Jodhpur that his supporters claimed had worsened his health.
The High Court Ruling
A division bench comprising Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit delivered the judgment on Wednesday, fully affirming the lower court's order of life imprisonment — defined as incarceration for the remainder of the convict's natural life. The bench directed the immediate cancellation of interim bail and the issuance of an arrest warrant.
In a pointed observation, the court stated: 'The accused's imprisonment has walls, but the mental trauma and lifelong suffering inflicted on the victim has no walls.' The same judgment acquitted co-accused hostel warden Shilpi and Gurukul director Sharat Chandra, holding that sufficient evidence of their involvement in any criminal conspiracy had not been established.
The Journey to Surrender
At the time of the verdict, Asaram was in Haridwar, Uttarakhand. He travelled by road to Delhi late on Wednesday night before proceeding to Jodhpur. Supporters claimed his health deteriorated during the journey and that he received medical treatment at AIIMS Delhi. According to reports, efforts were briefly considered to seek relief on medical grounds and defer surrender pending an appeal before the Supreme Court, but the plan was reportedly dropped following legal consultations.
On arrival in Jodhpur, Asaram first visited his ashram in Pal village and then underwent a medical examination at AIIMS Jodhpur before reporting to the jail.
Crowd and Security at the Airport
A large gathering of supporters converged at Jodhpur Airport, creating a significant crowd-management challenge for deployed security personnel. Asaram waved at supporters and offered blessings from inside his vehicle as he exited the airport. Officers were seen pushing back the crowd to maintain order.
Background: The 2013 Case
The case originates from August 2013, when allegations of the sexual assault of a minor student surfaced at Manai Ashram in Jodhpur. A sessions court convicted Asaram and sentenced him to life imprisonment in April 2018. The High Court's ruling on Wednesday marks the conclusion of his appeal against that conviction, with the sentence now confirmed and bail revoked. Any further legal recourse would require approaching the Supreme Court.
Point of View
However, raises questions about how institutional complicity in such cases is prosecuted. Asaram's case has been a litmus test for India's ability to hold religious figures to the same legal standards as ordinary citizens — a process that took over a decade from the original 2013 allegation to a confirmed life sentence. The reported last-minute attempt to seek medical deferral, if accurate, underlines how such legal manoeuvres can extend the ordeal for survivors even after conviction.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Asaram surrender at Jodhpur Central Jail on 28 May?
Asaram surrendered because the Rajasthan High Court upheld his life sentence in the 2013 minor rape case and cancelled the interim bail that had allowed him to remain free pending appeal. An arrest warrant was issued immediately after the ruling on Wednesday.
What did the Rajasthan High Court rule in the Asaram case?
A division bench upheld the lower court's conviction and life imprisonment order, meaning Asaram must remain in custody for the rest of his natural life. The court also acquitted co-accused Shilpi and Sharat Chandra, finding insufficient evidence of their involvement in a criminal conspiracy.
Who are the co-accused who were acquitted in the same judgment?
Hostel warden Shilpi and Gurukul director Sharat Chandra were acquitted by the High Court, which held that adequate evidence of their participation in any criminal conspiracy had not been established.
What is the background of the 2013 minor rape case against Asaram?
The case stems from August 2013, when a minor student alleged she was sexually assaulted inside a hut at Manai Ashram in Jodhpur. A sessions court convicted Asaram and sentenced him to life imprisonment in April 2018. His appeal against that conviction was dismissed by the High Court on 28 May.
Can Asaram challenge the High Court ruling further?
Any further legal recourse would require Asaram to approach the Supreme Court of India. According to reports, plans to seek a medical deferral of surrender were dropped after legal consultations, and no Supreme Court appeal had been filed at the time of his surrender.
