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The Gujarat High Court on Thursday granted six months’ temporary bail to self-styled godman Asaram, who is serving a life sentence in a 2013 rape case, to allow him to undergo medical treatment. A division bench of Justices Ilesh Vora and R.T. Vachhani passed the order, nearly a week after the Rajasthan High Court granted similar relief on medical grounds. The Gujarat High Court said it was extending bail to Asaram, 86, on the same grounds cited by the Rajasthan court. His counsel submitted the earlier order and sought leniency, citing his deteriorating health. The state government opposed the plea, arguing that Asaram could receive adequate treatment at the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad instead of being released. Last month, on October 29, the Rajasthan High Court had allowed Asaram six months’ bail after his lawyers contended that his prolonged illness required medical attention unavailable in prison. In January 2023, a Gandhinagar court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment for raping a woman disciple from Surat multiple times between 2001 and 2006, when she lived at his Motera ashram near Ahmedabad. Asaram is also serving another life sentence in Rajasthan for raping a minor girl at his Jodhpur ashram in 2013. He was convicted under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 376(2)(C) (rape), 377 (unnatural offences), 342 (wrongful confinement), 354 (assault on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 357 (assault), and 506 (criminal intimidation). For the Latest news, India News, Bihar Election 2025 updates and breaking stories from around the world, visit Times Now for live coverage and in-depth reporting.
