Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, convicted in rape cases in Rajasthan and Gujarat, had repeatedly received court relief over the last two years by citing serious health problems. However, on May 27, 2026, the Rajasthan High Court finally drew a line, cancelled his bail, upheld his life sentence in a minor rape case and ordered him to surrender.
The court made strong remarks while rejecting his plea, saying his failing health “cannot justify ignoring the victim’s voice” and describing that voice as “quiet, devastating and irrefutable.”
Asaram, now 86 years old, had been receiving medical permissions, emergency paroles and interim bail since March 2024. Records show he obtained court-approved relief at least 15 times over this period.
Asaram was convicted in two rape cases. One of the cases relates to the rape of a minor disciple in Rajasthan. He has also been convicted in Gujarat for raping a woman disciple from Surat several times between 2001 and 2006 while she was staying at his Motera ashram near Ahmedabad.
The Rajasthan High Court had earlier refused to suspend his sentence in January 2024. While hearing his fourth suspension of sentence application, the court noted that although convicts who have completed over 10 years in jail may sometimes receive bail, the serious nature of the allegations and his conviction in another rape case in Gujarat weighed against him.
Soon after, Asaram’s legal team sought permission for heart treatment, including bypass surgery or angioplasty. Initially, the court rejected the hospitals preferred by him and advised treatment at AIIMS Delhi, following recommendations from AIIMS Jodhpur.
In March 2024, his lawyers informed the court that he was willing to undergo treatment at Madhavbaug Multidisciplinary Cardiac Care Hospital in Maharashtra under police custody and at his own expense.
Medical reports submitted before the court said Asaram suffered from serious health problems, including heart disease and chronic kidney disease. Madhavbaug hospital reportedly described him as being in critical condition. However, police authorities in Maharashtra raised security concerns and opposed shifting him there.
Finally, on March 21, 2024, the Rajasthan High Court allowed him to undergo treatment at Arogyadham Ayurvedic Centre in Jodhpur under police custody, considering his age and stating that access to proper medical treatment is a fundamental right. Initially, the court ordered him to bear security costs, though this condition was later removed.
Between March and December 2024, Asaram was repeatedly allowed hospital admissions and medical relief. He stayed at Arogyadham in Jodhpur and later received emergency parole for treatment at Madhavbaug hospital in Maharashtra. The court cited his age, long custody and medical board recommendations supporting bypass surgery.
The Supreme Court then stepped in on January 7, 2025, granting Asaram interim bail until March 31 for medical treatment, saying it was not entering the merits of the case but accepted that he required medical relief.
Following this, both Rajasthan and Gujarat High Courts extended similar relief. Gujarat High Court granted him bail until June 2025 and later extended it. Rajasthan High Court also repeatedly extended his bail.
During these hearings, the complainant’s lawyer argued that Asaram was misusing his liberty and meeting followers while out on bail. Allegations were made that he had been giving sermons and interacting with disciples despite restrictions.
Government lawyers, however, cited statements from police personnel assigned to him, saying he had not delivered organised sermons. The court accepted his affidavit stating he was not holding public gatherings or group meetings. Yet controversy continued.
In October 2025, a medical certificate from Arogyam Ayurvedic Hospital said Asaram was suffering from several severe illnesses, including heart disease, kidney disease, osteoporosis, muscle loss, recurrent internal bleeding and loss of bladder and bowel control. Doctors said he was frail, wheelchair-bound and dependent on assistance for daily activities.
Fifteen days later, while admitted to hospital, the Rajasthan High Court granted him interim bail for six months. At the time, the court noted that he had completed nearly 13 years of sentence including remission and was suffering from multiple ailments.
However, two months later, the complainant approached the Supreme Court alleging that Asaram was travelling and giving religious discourses instead of remaining limited to treatment. Videos circulating on social media reportedly showed him visiting pilgrimage centres such as Ujjain and Ayodhya and travelling to Gujarat while on bail.
The complainant’s legal team argued that this violated bail conditions, which prohibited meetings with followers in groups, and questioned whether his medical condition justified continued relief.
Despite this, bail extensions continued into 2026. In April 2026, Rajasthan High Court extended his relief until May 25 or until judgment in his appeal was delivered. This was later extended till July 7.
But on May 27, 2026, the Rajasthan High Court delivered its final decision.
Upholding his life sentence in the minor rape case, the court refused further leniency despite his age and illness. The judges observed that while Asaram stood before the court weakened by age and disease, the victim’s testimony could not be overlooked.
The court warned that ignoring the victim’s voice would damage public faith in the justice system and send the wrong message, especially in a case where the accused had presented himself as a spiritual leader.
Following the ruling, Asaram surrendered on May 28, ending nearly seven months of continuous interim bail and medical relief.
His lawyer said they would soon challenge the High Court order before the Supreme Court and maintained that his health remains poor.
The victim’s lawyer called the decision a major victory for justice, saying the life sentence for the remainder of Asaram’s natural life and his return to jail confirmed the strength of the case against him.
Also Read: Asaram Bapu Faces Another Setback As Gujarat HC Orders Eviction From 45,000 sq m Ashram Land https://www.vibesofindia.com/asaram-bapu-faces-another-setback-as-gujarat-hc-orders-eviction-from-45000-sq-m-ashram-land/
