GG News Bureau
Ahmedabad, 3rd July: The Gujarat High Court on Thursday extended self-styled godman Asaram’s temporary bail by one month, while making it clear that this would be the final extension granted to him.
The bench of Justice Ilesh Vora and Justice P.M. Raval noted that Asaram, 86, who is currently serving a life sentence in a 2013 rape case, had been granted bail purely on medical grounds.
Asaram was first granted interim bail on March 28, which was later extended until July 7, just before the initial period was due to expire on June 30. During Thursday’s hearing, his lawyer requested a further three-month extension of the bail. However, the High Court allowed only a one-month extension, warning that no further extensions would be entertained.
As of the time this report was filed, the detailed order of the court had not yet been released.
Earlier, on January 7 this year, the Supreme Court had granted interim medical bail to Asaram until March 31. Subsequently, the Gujarat High Court allowed him to seek an extension if required. At that time, a divided verdict by a two-judge bench led to the case being referred to a third judge, who granted Asaram three months’ temporary bail.
In January 2023, a Gandhinagar court convicted Asaram in a separate rape case and sentenced him to life imprisonment. He is already serving life term in another rape case involving a minor girl at his ashram in Rajasthan, dating back to 2013.
Asaram has also petitioned the court seeking suspension of his sentence in the 2013 case, a matter which remains pending.
