Rajasthan High Court has refused to grant relief to Asaram Bapu, who is serving life imprisonment in the case of sexual assault of a minor. The court has upheld Asaram’s life imprisonment. The Division Bench of Justice Arun Monga and Justice Yogendra Kumar Purohit gave this decision today (Wednesday. 27 May).
The Division Bench of Jodhpur Bench of the High Court, while giving a major verdict, has upheld the life imprisonment given by the lower court. The court has issued an order to immediately surrender Asaram, who is currently out on parole. Asaram is on interim bail, but now he will have to surrender. Two days ago his bail period was extended till July 7.
Relief from punishment to Shilpi and Sharachand
The court gave its verdict on the appeals filed by three accused including Asaram. During this, the court made it clear that there will be no change in the life imprisonment awarded by the lower court in the case of rape of a minor victim. However, in this case, co-accused Shilpi and Sharat Chand have got relief from punishment. The court has acquitted both of them.
Asaram arrested in rape case
In August 2013, Asaram was arrested on charges of rape of a minor student in the ashram located in Jodhpur. After a long hearing, the special POCSO court of Jodhpur, on April 25, 2018, found him guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment. In the same case, co-accused Sharad and Shilpi were sentenced to 20 years each. Challenging the decision of the trial court, all the accused had filed an appeal in the Rajasthan High Court.
Day-to-day hearing was held in the High Court from 16 February to 20 April 2026. During the hearing, the defense and prosecution presented detailed arguments in their respective sides. The bench had reserved the decision on April 20. After this, the verdict on this matter was given today.
what is the matter
Actually, this case came into limelight when a minor girl had alleged that on the pretext of religious treatment and spiritual guidance, she was called to the ashram, where she was sexually exploited and raped. On the basis of police investigation, medical report, statements of witnesses and circumstantial evidence, the trial court had convicted Asaram.
At present Asaram is out on parole.
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