The Rajasthan High Court has extended self-styled godman Asaram’s interim bail until May 25 due to medical reasons. Asaram, serving a life sentence in a rape case, had his bail extended by a division bench of Acting Chief Justice S.P. Sharma and Justice Sangeeta Sharma. The extension will last until May 25 or until the High Court delivers its judgment on his pending criminal appeal, whichever comes first.
Asaram’s lawyer, Yashpal Rajpurohit, informed the court that the High Court had completed hearings on the appeal as directed by the Supreme Court and had reserved its verdict. He argued that Asaram’s ongoing treatment necessitated an extension of the bail period until its completion. However, the state opposed the plea, with Additional Advocate General Deepak Choudhary arguing against further extension of interim bail.
Asaram, aged 84, has been serving a life sentence since 2018 for the rape of a minor girl. Initially granted interim medical bail by the Supreme Court in January 2025, he later received a six-month bail from the Rajasthan High Court in October 2025, which was approaching its expiration. The recent order comes amidst legal proceedings regarding land associated with his ashram in Gujarat.
The Supreme Court recently intervened by halting immediate eviction and forfeiture actions initiated by the Gujarat government against the ashram’s land in the Motera area of Ahmedabad. This decision provides interim protection to the property while the matter is further examined. The land dispute stems from allegations of the ashram exceeding its original allotment terms and conducting unauthorized construction activities.
