Rapist Asaram Released On Interim Bail: Asaram, after securing interim bail in the rape case from the Rajasthan High Court, left Arogyaam Hospital in Jodhpur late on Tuesday night (January 14). He reached his ashram in Pal Village around 10:30 PM, where a large crowd of supporters gathered to welcome him. Devotees garlanded him and celebrated by bursting crackers. At 11 PM, Asaram entered seclusion. The atmosphere remained charged with excitement as his followers expressed their support.
Asaram has rape cases registered against him in Gandhinagar, Gujarat and Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He has been sentenced to life imprisonment in both the cases. He got bail from the Supreme Court on January 7 in the Gujarat case, after which he got bail in the Jodhpur case on January 14. He has come out for 75 days. Asaram has got partial relief in the form of interim bail from the court after 11 years 4 months and 12 days due to health reasons.
Rapist Asaram Released: On interim bail till March 31
Asaram’s lawyer Nishant Borda said- SOS petition was filed in the bench of Justice Dinesh Mehta and Vineet Kumar Mathur. Lawyers RS Saluja, Nishant Borda, Yashpal Singh Rajpurohit and Bharat Saini pleaded on behalf of Asaram.
In this, the bail granted by the Supreme Court on 7 January 2025 in the Gujarat case (rape) was cited. In this, a plea was made for the treatment of Asaram. Considering his age and health, the court on Tuesday granted interim bail to Asaram till 31 March. During this time, he will be allowed to stay in any ashram in the country. He will also be able to get treatment in a hospital or ashram.
Who is Asaram, aka Asumal Harpalani?
Self-proclaimed Godman, 84-year-old Asaram, has ashrams in several cities across the country.
- It is claimed that he has more than 4 crore followers worldwide.
- From Chief Ministers to senior IAS and IPS officers, many would bow before him.
- Asaram’s dark side came to light when a minor accused him of sexual assault.
Key Details:
- Chhindwara (MP):
Asaram had established a school and hostel where the minor and her brother were studying. - On August 2, 2013, the minor fell ill and was shifted to the hostel wardenship in Shilpi’s care.
- Shilpi neither treated the girl nor informed her family, claiming she was possessed by an evil spirit.
- The parents were summoned and told that only “Bapu” (Asaram) could treat her, urging them to take her to him quickly.
- The family first took their daughter to Delhi and then realized they needed to visit Asaram’s Manai Ashram in Jodhpur.
- On August 14, 2013, the girl and her family arrived at the Manai Ashram. Asaram looked at the girl and said,
“Are you the one possessed by an evil spirit?”
Asaram had filed a petition in the High Court
Earlier on January 7, the Supreme Court had granted bail to Asaram till March 31 in the case of rape of a female follower in the Surat ashram. The Supreme Court had said that Asaram cannot meet his followers.
Asaram did not get relief in the Jodhpur rape case. After this, Asaram’s lawyer filed a petition in the High Court. After the hearing in the High Court on Tuesday, a big relief was received. Now interim bail has been granted till March 31.
Rapist Asaram Released: Granted Bail on These Conditions
- Must not meet followers.
- No group meetings with disciples.
- No communication with the media.
- No public sermons or speeches.
- Will be accompanied by 3 guards, with the expenses borne by Asaram.
Even the bigwigs were not able to get him bail
Since 2013, Asaram had hired an army of big lawyers to get him bail. No one was able to get him bail. This includes names like Ram Jethmalani, Salman Khurshid, Omkar Singh Lakhawat, CV Nagesh, KTS Tulsi, KK Menon, Pos Pole and Dr. Subramaniam Swamy.
Guilty in Jodhpur and Gandhinagar court verdicts too
Jodhpur Court: Asaram was arrested by Jodhpur Police from his ashram in Indore on 2 September 2013 in the case of rape of a minor in Manai Ashram of Jodhpur. On 25 April 2018, the Special POCSO Court of Jodhpur convicted him and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
Gandhinagar Court: A woman from the ashram in Gandhinagar, Gujarat had filed a rape case against Asaram. On 31 January 2023, the court sentenced Asaram to life imprisonment in this case.
Asaram had demanded a female doctor in the jail: Before Asaram was sent to Jodhpur Central Jail, he was given a medical checkup. He was healthy then. He did not have any disease. Only a month after going to jail, Asaram had mentioned for the first time about his Trinadi Shoola (This disease occurs due to a problem in the nerves of the brain. It causes severe pain in one part of the face) disease.
Claimed suffering from ‘Trinadi Shoola’ but Doctors didn’t find any such disease: While filing the petition on 4th September 2013, he had said- I am suffering from a disease called Trinadi Shoola for the last 13 and a half years. For the last 2 to 3 years, a female doctor named Neeta was treating me. Neeta should be allowed to come to the Central Jail for 8 days for my treatment. For this, Asaram was checked up by the medical board. The doctor did not find any such disease.
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